Ellie Goulding Among the Highly Anticipated Albums of 2010 (plus downloads)

If 2009 was any indication of the kind of music that 2010 will bring, we can predict a couple things. First, female artists are becoming dominant in terms of popular music -- with the likes of Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, and Beyonce (among others) crushing their male counterparts in record sales. Second, we have seen that pop music currently favors upbeat, electronic, dance-styled sounds.

With this said, the last post of 2009 will be a preview of Ellie Goulding, who (I hope) can ride these trends to stardom. Ellie's distinct voice, collaborations with top-notch electronic producers such as Starsmith and Frankmusik, and a style that is completely unique has literally got the entire music world buzzing.

She has already released two EPs -- Under the Sheets and An Introduction to Ellie Goulding. Unfortunately, almost all of her music is unavailable in the US (she's from the UK) -- so I have posted a starter pack of her demos, covers, and remixes below. Be sure to download them and enjoy.

Ellie Goulding Starter Pack
The End (demo)
Every Time You Go (demo)
Guns and Horses (demo)
Swimming Pool (demo)
The End (demo)
The Writer (demo)
Wish I Stayed (demo)
Be Mine (Robyn cover w/ Erik Hassle)
Roscoe (Midlake cover)
StarryEyed (Jabwok Remix)

(MP3) DOWNLOAD: the Ellie Goulding Starter Pack (click here)

Female Covers Mixtape... plus Eric Prydz "Call on Me" Live

This, you could say, is a completely inadvertent mixtape. I was just skimming through my music and came to the realization that I have tons of covers by female artists. I tried to siphon out the covers that sound like they should be background for some bad romcom, instead chosing to to pick, what I think, are at least minimally interesting covers that put a unique spin on the songs. Some will probably enjoy it, others will not. I guess that's the nature of the beast ("the beast" being music).

Just in case you listen to this mixtape and feel like you have an increased sensitivity to the feelings of others and/or crave dark chocolate.... I have also posted a live version of Eric Prydz's "Call on Me" -- which should snap you out of it and bring you back to manhood.

Noisettes - When You Were Young (Killers cover)
Sky Ferreira - Animal (Miike Snow Cover)
Ellie Goulding – The Wolves (Act I and II) (Bon Iver Cover)
Bat For Lashes - Use Somebody (Kings of Leon cover)
Sara Lov - My Body Is A Cage (Arcade Fire cover)
Jonna Lee - The District Sleeps Alone Tonight (Postal Service Cover)
Run Toto Run - Sleepyhead (Passion Pit Cover)
Anya Marina - Whatever You Like (T.I. Cover)
Dirty Mittens - White Winter Hymnal (Fleet Foxes cover)

MP3: Download the full Female Covers Mixtape (click here).

A Name to Know -- Ellie Goulding

One of most talked about artists this past year or so has been Ellie Goulding. Even though she hasn't released a full length album or EP yet, she is clearly on the brink. She has recently been signed by Polydor Records (UK), and is set to have her first single "Under the Sheets" released in the next few weeks. If you haven't heard of Polydor Records, they have signed the Pussycat Dolls, Jonas Brothers, Gavin Rossdale, the Cure, Snow Patrol, etc...

Ellie's sound might best be described as folk meets electronic-- thanks to her collaboration with Starsmith and Frankmusik. Her unique covers of Bon Iver's Wolves and Passion Pit's Sleepyhead are arguably as good as the originals, and her cover of Sam Sparro's Black + Gold is unquestionably. Her original material is even better... thanks to her smooth vocals and wide range. Don't take my word for it. Take a listen.

Ellie Goulding - Guns + Horses (link removed)
Ellie Goulding - Starry Eyed (link removed)
To listen to some of her tunes check out her myspace page here.

I would say "buy the cd here" -- but she hasnt released one yet. No worries. I'm sure its coming soon.

Here is a clip of a new song, "The Writer," that Ellie is working on with Starsmith.