Ellie Goulding Barely "Hangs On" In New Video

After liberating the audio to great reception, Ellie Goulding has released a simple yet powerful visual on the singer's official YouTube channel for a free track on her Soundcloud, "Hanging On," which features rapper Tinie Tempah. The 25-year-old English singer does not have the spinning peppermint bra of Katy Perry or the tabloid-baiting love life of Rihanna. But she consistently puts out good music without any need for bells and whistles.
"Hanging On," is her first new track in over a year, and a cover of a song by Active Child, it was introduced by Goulding on her Twitter as "the beginning of my new journey. Enjoy and share responsibly. It is also a free download so please share and enjoy irresponsibly." It seems to suggest she's ditched the acoustic guitars in favor of something more compelling. What the song could have done without is Tempah, who destroys any sense of atmosphere with his monotone delivery. Seemingly inspired by a more lo-fi aesthetic.
Goulding's compelling new direction is spoiled somewhat by Tempah rapping about his problems with acid indigestion. We've not heard that much from Goulding since her performance at Prince William's wedding last year. While work on her sophomore album with Calvin Harris and Swedish House Mafia is underway, Goulding has started to tease her new direction. She stated, "It's started to sound very dark and very weird. This album is going to be even more emotional. I wanted to make it so there is hope. I want to make an effect whether it's happy or sad."
The blonde electronapop sweetheart zaps our emotional core in her new clip for sonically-stuccato song "Hanging On," which shows footage of Goulding having a late night wander while wearing a leather jacket and an orange beanie, and interspersed with shots of her staring intensely at the camera. Lights flash and flicker throughout the whole trippy video as scenes of the singer and other bystanders are shown. She appears significantly more bare as she sings "I just can't keep hanging on, to you and me," while plainly standing with her back against the white wall.