The Useless Critic 2.0

Yesterday, the third volume of the soundtrack to the HBO series Girls was released digitally , including songs that have been featured in seasons three and four, as well as songs exclusive to season five, which premieres tomorrow. Among these previously unreleased cuts is Ellie Goulding's "Here's to Us," a bittersweet break-up number that intersperses somber piano chords with sweeping synths, harking back to her first two albums, Lights and Halcyon . "And I know that your love wasn't here to stay / I gave you all of mine but you gave it away / And now you're the one who hurts / You had to love someone else just to know your worth," she sings in the chorus, possibly addressing an unfaithful ex. If you're a longtime reader of our blog, you probably remember that I used to vouch a lot for Ellie – pretty much like I do for Sky Ferreira nowadays. I even reviewed Halcyon and its subsequent Halcyon Days re-release. Her mix of synthpop, folk...

Ellie Goulding, "Love Me Like You Do" / "Something in the Way You Move" I must admit it took me a few listens to realize how grand and majestic "Love Me Like You Do" is. The song is so tender and ethereal, but it's also brooding and has an underlying darkness to it. Plus I think it was a perfect fit for the scene in Fifty Shades of Grey where Christian takes Anastasia on a helicopter ride overlooking Seattle's night skyline (I actually enjoyed the movie, judge me). "Something in the Way You Move"—from Goulding's latest LP Delirium —marries a shimmering synthpop backdrop with foreboding, somewhat dark lyrics, which document the singer's dooming attraction to a nameless guy who is bad for her, but she can't help it even if it's bound to end in heartbreak: "When our eyes meet, I can only see the end / But tonight I'm here, yours again." Thematically, it wouldn't sound really out of place in the Fifty Sh...

I heard this song on last Sunday's episode of Girls , and I just had to download it. As with " Hard Out Here ," "L8 CMMR" uses a little too much Auto-Tune, but it's such a fun, summery synthpop tune. I love the lyrics ("My man is a bad motherfucker") and the sassy title. Sometimes I wonder why I still watch Girls , though, since I hate almost everyone on that show. Except for Jessa, she's awesome. Although she's been a real hot mess lately—more than usual, I mean. Anyway, as most of you already know, Allen has recently confirmed that her third album will be titled Sheezus , an homage to Kanye West's album Yeezus . Or maybe it could be a combination of the words "sheesh" and "Jesus." Y ' know, like, "Sheezus! They're making Sharknado 2 ??" In other news, recent Brit Award winner Ellie Goulding has just released the lyric video for "Beating Heart," the song she recorded for the soun...

Such a fun and visually striking video. I'm lovin' those neon colors.

Earlier today, Ellie Goulding tweeted a 24-second teaser for the music video for "Goodness Gracious," the next single from Halcyon Days . Personally, I was hoping "Stay Awake," "You My Everything," or "Under Control" would be picked as the next single, but I love "Goodness Gracious" too. The video looks amazing with all those neon colors, which really complement the carefree, electro-tropical vibe of the track. Plus, Ellie is lookin g pretty hawt . Listen to "Goodness Gracious" in full below:

More like "ridiculously late" or "inexcusably late." Last August, Ellie Goulding's second album, Halcyon , was re-released as Halcyon Days . As if the original album didn't already have, like, a thousand different versions , right? It just so happens that Ellie is no stranger to reissues—her 2010 debut album, Lights , was repackaged as Bright Lights , which presented us with some of Ellie's best songs yet, namely " Human ," " Home ," and " Animal ". Much like Bright Lights , Halcyon Days includes ten brand-new tracks, and given my undying love for Ms. Goulding, I just had to share my thoughts on them. Even if it took me a million years. 1) "Burn" Many fans will agree with me when I say that "Burn"—which was originally intended for Leona Lewis—sounds rather generic compared to Ellie's previous releases, especially amidst today's oversaturated EDM fad. Well , this uplifting summer jam ...

Here it is, the official music video for Ellie Goulding's upcoming single "Burn." I'm digging the visuals, but personally, I think she could have done more with it, considering her previous videos. I've just learned that the song, co-written by Ryan Tedder, was originally recorded by Leona Lewis for her Glassheart album, but she eventually rejected it. This probably explains why "Burn" isn't exactly Ellie's strongest number yet. I'm sure Halcyon Days will be awesome, though.

Ellie Goulding has premiered the Vine fan video for her new single "Burn"! (This Vine thing seems to be catching on, eh?) I absolutely love the anthemic electronics, it has "summer jam" written all over it. In a recent Elle interview , Ellie revealed that she will be re-releasing her Halcyon album with "so many new songs." It's not yet clear whether "Burn" will be one of these songs. Probably will. The single is set for release on August 18. Now, will you just check out the cover art? Ugh, I can't at so much sexiness. I wonder if the official music video will be this sexy as well. In related news, Ellie's song "You My Everything" premiered during the first episode of the final s eason of the British series Skins earlier this week. That's right —two new Ellie songs in a single week! Update: The re-release is called Halcyon Days and will feature ten bonus tracks, including "Burn," ...

The summery, steamy video for Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding's diva-house collabo, "I Need Your Love," premiered yesterday. The clip was filmed in Miami and follows the pair on a romantic weekend, snuggling in bed (!!!) and having fun on the beach, in the streets and in da club. Also, Calvin appears shirtless, 'nuff said. Basically a wet dream come true, right? Well, except for the random black guy that steals the camera, of course. Heh I actually don't know which one of them I should be jealous of. But seriously, as much as Calvin gives me a total lady boner, I think he and Ellie would make the cutest couple in real life—sorry, Skrillex. As a side note, 2 Broke Girls finally returned yesterday, meaning a new recap is on the way. ;) Don't miss it, or you'll regret it. I mean it.

Just keepin' it classy Ellie Goulding, "Figure 8" 2012 was definitely Ellie's year. I can't get over "Figure 8's" epic, bombastic chorus, I just wish I could inject it directly into my blood. Who knew dubstep could sound this good? Azealia Banks, "Liquorice" Despite her apparent attitude issues , Azealia is one of my favorite new artists this year. Her music is so fresh, I'm loving the throwback to early-'90s house music and R&B that's been going on lately. Of all the great jams she has put out, "Liquorice" is my anthem to sassitude. As some of you must know by now, it was reported a couple of months ago that Azealia and Lady fucking Gaga recorded two tracks for Gaga's upcoming ARTPOP album! Sleigh Bells, "Comeback Kid" This song and Alexis Krauss are the very epitome of badassery. I want her clothes so bad, especially the studded leather jacket. Little Boots, "Every Ni...

Instead of recapping everything in a "best of" list (BECAUSE I ALREADY DID THAT WITH MY SPOTIFY PLAYLIST) here are just some songs you should have heard this year and appreciated. Note the curious absence of "Call Me Maybe." "I'm His Girl"- Friends did this appear on an episode of "Girls?" It should have. "Ritual"- Ellie Goulding It was our own writer Irina who turned me onto this song. It's very sexual, which is not something you would expect from "I Sang At the Royal Wedding" Ellie Goulding. "Florida"- Princeton We interviewed them ages ago. What a refreshing little song this is. "Comeback Kid"- Sleigh Bells Is it weird I find this song inspiring? Also, it's a good song to kick ass to. "Wicked Games"- The Weeknd Uh, wow? "Tides"- The Xx This album is amazing. Not much of a difference from their debut, but. Who cares? Their debut was g...