There are few words to describe the breathtaking beauty of Imogen Heap’s third release, Ellipse. The most accurate description I can muster is to simply say, “Buy this.”
Four years have passed since her last CD, Speak for Yourself, and the electronic tinkered beats and vocal layers that Heap is known for are also present on Ellipse. Her seemingly effortless, light and airy vocals never get boring or weary, and the arrangement of each song is mesmerizing, even when the song itself doesn’t sound immediately attractive.
“Last Train Home” is a gentle opener and sets the tone for the rest of the album. It’s a song that starts out mellow but gains more momentum as it plays out. This momentum picks up through “Wait It Out”, the second track. The straight vocals backed by minimal strings and simplistic piano make this song about relationships in limbo absolutely gorgeous.
Heap continues to get edgier as the album continues. “Swoon” and “Tidal” are the most danceable songs, while “Between Sheets” is a sweet ballad that provides a perfect, timeless snapshot of a lazy morning with a lover. “Aha!” is a frenzied song with frantic strings and rapid “la la la’s” that culminates at the end with Heap hitting high notes that make her sound downright operatic.
After that, she takes a break. In “The Fire,” Heap – a classically trained pianist – plays an improvised instrumental melody over the sound of, well, a crackling fire. Lastly, “Half Life” is a heart-wrenching tune that is comparable to SfY’s “Hide and Seek.” It’s difficult not to be swayed emotionally as she meekly sings: “Well, there may be others but I still like to pretend / That I’m the one you really want to grow old with / Got a schedule to keep, got a world to keep sweet / You’re so much to everyone all of the time / Will you ever slow down? Will I ever come first? / The universe contracts to sigh.”
Ellipse has a little bit of everything for any listener. Not only is this one of the best releases of 2009, but Heap deserves widespread recognition for it.
