Higher Than Heaven is the fifth studio album by English singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding. It was released on 7 April 2023 through Polydor Records,and serves as a follow-up to her fourth album Brightest Blue (2020). Written largely in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,Goulding deliberately shifted the album's focus away from the deep introspection of its predecessor,describing it as her "least personal album" to date in favour of escapism and pure thrills. The album was preceded by four singles,"Easy Lover" featuring Big Sean,"Let It Die","Like a Saviour",and "By the End of the Night".
Produced by Greg Kurstin,Jesse Shatkin,Koz,and Andrew Wells,among others,Higher Than Heaven is a dance-pop and pop record,characterised by a sound that is "jam packed with infectious hits" and drawing heavy influence from synth-pop,disco,and 1990s house music. Lyrically,the album focuses on universal themes of love and human connection rather than personal narratives.
Higher Than Heaven received generally favourable reviews from music critics. Commercially,the album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart,marking Goulding's fourth chart-topping album in the country,and tying her with Adele for the most UK number one albums by a British female artist.
Background and development
There was definitely a darkness about [the past two years] that was palpable in the studio, with everyone having gone through it differently. I think for that reason, nobody wanted to sit and agonise over some relationship or some drama. So that's how this album came together. [Higher Than Heaven is] about being passionately in love. But it's a hyper form of love, almost like a drug induced feeling. It feels almost artificial and there's the potential for a crash.
According to Goulding, the album was written in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She noted that the palpable "darkness" of the preceding two years, which everyone had experienced differently, meant that "nobody wanted to sit and agonise over some relationship or some drama"; stating that this context was key to "how this album came together".[2] In contrast to her previous 2020 album Brightest Blue, Higher Than Heaven is her "least personal album",[3][4] because she was "trying to move away a bit from the very personal, introspective side of my last record", adding, "Sometimes I'm just not in the mood to sing about myself."[5] Moreover, she clarified that the relief came from the fact that the album was "in the best possible way, this album wasn't taken from personal experiences", which was "refreshing to not be sitting in the studio going through all the things that happened to me and affected me. Because I feel things very deeply. I always have."[6]
Goulding wrote "Easy Lover" with Greg Kurstin (left) and Julia Michaels (right), five years ago in Los Angeles.
Discussing the single "Easy Lover", Goulding explained that she wrote the song "about five years ago in Los Angeles" with producer Greg Kurstin and songwriter Julia Michaels.[7][8] Regarding her writing style, Goulding remarked, "I can't help but write about situations we all go through", adding that she enjoys the idea that listeners can feel like they are "getting some kind of advice or some help" from her music. She also stated her preference for combining this relatability with her musical influences: "I grew up on house music and dance music and pop music, so if I can do both somehow, I often do."[7] Separately, she noted that the song in her discography she will always relate to is her 2012 hit "Anything Could Happen", explaining, "It's just the feeling I get every time I perform it", and she added that the song "defines me the best".[6]
Goulding detailed her artistic focus by telling NME that her "new thing is acknowledging the things I'm good at, and I'm good at writing pop songs". She stated that, despite working across a range of musical styles such as classical music throughout her career, she ultimately preferred creating "big pop songs that you hear on the radio".[9] Since the album allowed her to "explore other things" about herself, she considered the record as her "best album". Goulding also particularly enjoyed the sheer acts of writing and singing again; she found the process to be a "relief and really refreshing", as it meant she did not have to dwell on or revisit all the deeply felt personal events that had happened to her in the studio.[4] She further stated that there was "an element of escapism" in the album and that she aimed to move away from the more introspective tone of Brightest Blue, adding that she "wasn't really in the mood to write ballads".[5]
Composition
Higher Than Heaven is a pop[10][11] and dance-pop record,[12] incorporating influences from 1980s synth-pop and disco-pop.[13] It is described as "top notch", with Spin noting the prominence of Goulding's vocals.[14] According to AllMusic, the album is composed of "set of synth-washed, neon bangers" and places greater emphasis on energetic, club-driven production rather than the subdued approach of its predecessor.[15] Furthermore, it contains "stomping basslines, soaring synths and euphoric melodies"[14] featuring contributions from Greg Kurstin, Jesse Shatkin, Koz, and Andrew Wells.[16][1] According to uDiscoverMusic's Rhian Daly, the lyrics of Higher Than Heaven focus on broader subjects such as love, desire, and human connection, in contrast to the more personal material of Brightest Blue (2020).[17]
Goulding drew influences from "dance-pop stateswomen" like Kylie Minogue (left), and cited the Weeknd (right) among a diverse mix of artists shaping the album's sound.
PopMatters identified Higher Than Heaven as a "solid set of tunes" that continues Goulding's success with "catchy pop tunes".[18] The singer, who described the album as her "least personal" album to date,[15] draws influence from "dance-pop stateswomen" such Kylie Minogue, Madonna, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Janet Jackson.[18] Regarding the album's creative process, Goulding noted that "there really weren't any rules" and they "weren't trying to make a cohesive body of work", citing a mix of '80s influences including the Weeknd, Dolly Parton, and ABBA.[9] In Higher Than Heaven, the music weds "sweet lyricism with glossy, shiny dance-floor bangers", which creates an album that resembles a "playlist of Millennial dance music".[18] The album also focuses on "pure thrills and escapism", similar to reactive COVID-19-era energisers from artists like Dua Lipa and Ava Max.[15] In addition, the album incorporates elements of 1980s-inspired synthpop, alongside influences from house-pop, R&B, and 1990s-era diva pop. The production was described by PopMatters as having "an unfailing eye for catchy hooks and hummable lyrics".[18]
"Waiting for It" contrasts with Goulding's insistence to "fuck the world away", which highlights the track's dance-floor appeal.
The opener "Midnight Dreams" draws upon influences from disco, '80s pop, and '90s house,[15] teaming "aqueous disco synths" with a "propulsive, funky bassline", according to Liam Hess of Vogue.[5] Hess noted that "Cure for Love" features "swooping disco strings" over a "four-to-the-floor thump" and "stacked layers of Goulding's fluttering, powdered-sugar vocals".[5] Accoring to The Line of Best Fit's Sam Franzini, its chorus contains a "playful and catchy" elements that sings of "self-preservation after a breakup".[19] "By the End of the Night" is an dance-pop song;[20] Neil Z. Yeung of AllMusic described it as balancing Goulding's contrasting moods, calling it a "yearning yet uncertain early peak on the album".[15]Clash editor Robin Murray described it as "chiming" and "80s-tastic", which serves as a "lush entry point" to the album.[10] Conversely, the "near-monotone delivery" on the chorus is noted by Franzini as not pairing well with ideas that sound plucked straight out of 2015.[19] Murray described "Like a Saviour" as a "bona fide anthem", highlighting its camp and entertaining pop style.[10] Franzini noted its bass, describing it as "nasty and propulsive" and comparable to the style of the Weeknd.[19] Yeung described "Love Goes On" as a "hazy" track that features "warm R&B smoothness";[15] it was noted by Murray for illustrating Goulding's "impressive chops".[10] "Easy Lover", featuring Big Sean, is a "synthy, dance-pop"[21] and "galactic dance anthem".[8] Fittingly noted for "reaching new heights vocally" by Franzini,[19] the title track is also noted for its shimmering sound and its influences from disco, 1980s pop, and 1990s house.[15]NME's Nick Levine described "Let It Die" as an "evocative snapshot of a toxic relationship", dipping into "Dua Lipa's nu-disco territory".[22] "Waiting for It" further explores a slow jam–influenced sound,[15] noted by Murray for slightly dropping the tempo, offering a "spartan template" against "raw vocals".[10] On the track, Goulding delivers a similarly compelling performance, singing the line "We can fuck the world away" in a "matter-of-fact" tone.[10][22]
"How Long" features trap elements,[19] while "Temptation" is highlighted by Murray for its "old-school disco thrills".[10] Hess noted the latter's "Janet Jackson-esque orchestra hits", which contribute to an "oh-so-'80s" feel.[5] According to Murray, "Intuition" features a "chugging Pet Shop Boys esque chorus",[10] and "Better Man" was described by Hess as a "fullest expression" of the confidence that Goulding had developed in past years.[5]
Release and promotion
Goulding in 2023
On 19 October 2022, Goulding announced the album's title and revealed its cover artwork, with an initial release date of 3 February 2023.[23][24] She promoted "Easy Lover" and discussed fan expectations for the project in an interview with Billboard News.[7] However, on 9 January 2023, Goulding announced an initial delay to 24 March, stating: "We've had some exciting opportunities appear behind the scenes."[25][26] At the same time, it was confirmed that a then-new single titled "Like a Saviour" would be released as of 10 January.[27] On 28 February, she announced a second delay of the album to 7 April,[28] stating issues with sourcing eco-friendly material for the album's physical formats.[29]
On 31 March, Goulding released the songs "Midnight Dreams",[30] "Cure for Love",[31] "Love Goes On",[32] and "Higher Than Heaven"[33] on digital platforms in conjunction with her appearance on the Amazon Freevee concert film Monumental: Ellie Goulding at Kew Gardens.[34] On 7 April, the day of the album's release, Goulding released a music video for "Better Man", directed by Tom Sandford.[35][36]
Higher Than Heaven's first single, "Easy Lover" featuring Big Sean, was released on 15 July 2022.[21][8] "Let It Die" was released as the second single on 19 October, alongside the album's announcement and Carlota Guerrero-directed music video.[37][14] On 30 January 2023, Goulding teased a next single, titled "Like a Saviour", releasing it on the day after of the announcement.[38] Its music video was directed by Joe Connor,[39] featuring choreography arranged by Daniel Alwell.[40] "By the End of the Night" was chosen as the last single from the album, released on 22 March.[41][20][34]
In support of the album, Goulding announced European dates for the Higher Than Heaven Tour,[42] supported by Canadian singer Olivia Lunny.[43] The tour, scheduled to run throughout the autumn, included major shows across the United Kingdom and mainland Europe.[44] UK stops included cities such as Glasgow, Manchester, and Birmingham, culminating in a headline performance at the Roundhouse in London,[45][44] while Mainland European stops included Paris, Brussels, Milan, Cologne, and Berlin.[45]
Before the main tour, Goulding also held an intimate, sold-out promotional show at Pryzm in Kingston Upon Thames in May.[45] She also announced shows in the United States, accompanied by an orchestra.[46]
Higher Than Heaven received generally favourable reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from professional critics, the album received a weighted average score of 77, based on seven reviews.[48] Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave the album a 6.7 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus.[47]
AllMusic described Higher Than Heaven as one of Goulding's "least personal" but also one of her most immediate, focusing on euphoric dance-pop escapism rather than introspection.[15]Clash praised it as a simple, fun pop album that prioritises entertainment over discourse.[10]The Daily Telegraph wrote that the album's mood aligns with the no-nonsense priorities of "Miracle", consisting of 11 tracks of nu-disco, '80s-inspired synth pop and sleek electronic dance music produced with hitmakers such as Stephen Kozmeniuk, Greg Kurstin and Andrew Wells.[49]The Evening Standard noted Goulding's intent to reactivate her hitmaking streak, highlighting the abundance of catchy, euphoric tracks.[50]The Line of Best Fit compared the project to Ava Max's Diamonds & Dancefloors (2023), calling it a non-stop collection of shimmering synths and energetic vocals with standout moments such as "Love Goes On".[19]
The Arts Desk described Higher Than Heaven's lyrics as "generic and forgettable" and suggesting the album aimed for a sound "midway between Beyoncé's Renaissance and Dua Lipa's Future Nostalgia". While "Let It Die" and "Waiting for It" were noted as relative highlights, the reviewer concluded that these moments were "not enough to raise overall interest levels".[54]NME highlighted Goulding's admission that it is her "least personal" work, but commended her ability to craft slick and stylish pop bangers despite some weaker lyrics.[22]PopMatters called the album a thoroughly enjoyable, stylish set of dance-pop songs in the vein of Kylie Minogue and Madonna, designed for pure entertainment.[18]The Times deemed it a polished collection of escapist, post-lockdown dance-pop tracks that sound excellent in the moment, even if their long-term impact is uncertain.[53] Rating the album 7 out of 10, Sam Franzini from The i Paper declared that Goulding was "successfully recalibrated" with Higher Than Heaven, describing it as "a fun, high-energy dance record" and a welcome contrast to how "Brightest Blue tried to be too smart and walked away with a noticeable lack of exciting songs".[51]
Katie Bain from Billboard listed the album in her list of the 50 Best Albums of 2023, praising Goulding decision of "trading straightforward confessions for slick, textural dance pop and lyrical sweet nothings about dim lights and easy lovers", stating that Goulding "delivered one of her best (and most club-friendly) albums to date". As well dubbing Goulding as "one of the defining voices of dance music over the last decade".[55] Tomás Mier from Rolling Stone named Higher Than Heaven as one of the best albums of the year, praising Goulding decision of making a "fun, escapist pop" record that "remind listeners of Goulding's pop prowess", instead of going into an introspective route like most of her peers did in recent years.[56]
Goulding achieved her fourth number one album in the UK, tying Adele (pictured) as the two British female artists with the most chart-topping albums.
In the United Kingdom, Higher Than Heaven debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, shifting 11,818 album-equivalent units in its first week.[59] It became Goulding's fourth chart-topping album in the country,[60] tying with Adele as the two British female artists with the most UK number one albums.[61] In the same week, her collaboration single with Calvin Harris, "Miracle", reached number one on the UK Singles Chart; it earned Goulding her first "chart double", although it is not featured in the album.[59][61][62] It represented the first occasion on which she led both the albums and singles charts at the same time.[60] In the second week, the album dropped from number one to number 84 making it one of the few number-one albums to spend only one week in the top 75.[63][64]
In Scotland, Higher Than Heaven debuted at number one on the Scottish Albums Chart, becoming her second chart-topper, and first since her second album Halcyon (2012).[65] Meanwhile, in Ireland, the record peaked at number 97 on the Irish Album Chart.[66] In the United States, Higher Than Heaven debuted at number 125 on the Billboard 200.[67]
Published by Concod Boulevard (ASCAP) / Ancient Door Publishing, Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp (BMI) / Futurekind Limited / Sony Music Publishing - BMI / Universal Music Publishing / Warner Chappell UK
↑Nicole, Kaitlyn (14 December 2023). "10 Best Pop Albums of 2023". Pop Passion Blog. Archived from the original on 10 August 2025. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
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