I've really enjoyed all the free music English belle Ellie Goulding has been releasing this year- such as her excellent cover of High For This. That's why I'm surprised that I don't actually like the first single, Anything Could Happen, lifted from her upcoming second album Halcyon.
I can appreicate that Anything Could Happen is delicate and pretty; that there are some nice harmonies- particularly in the chorus; and that it's been structured so as to keep it interesting as it progresses.
However, it's lack of an anchor- such as a heavier layer of instrumentation, a stronger percussive track, or a deeper bass- means a listener feels like they're in a staticy haze when immersed within the music, but ultimately that it's a fleeting, forgettable sensation that quickly passes once the song is over.
Anything Could Happen would have been a decent filler track on Halcyon, but it's harder to accept as a lead singer when we've already heard some really strong music from Ellie Goulding this year.
A really odd, but brave, choice for a comeback single, in my opinion.
Rating: C-
