I’ve come to blame Ellie Goulding for the vocal style of pretty much every female singer I hear on the radio these days.
I call it the “wispy unicorn” sound. The words are whispered and slurred, making these women sound like laryngitic drunks.
Goulding isn’t the worst offender, but she’s the first I noticed. I can’t even name all of the current culprits because I switch the dial quickly every time I hear one of them.
One is definitely Julia Michaels, whose ‘Issues’ might be the most awful offender.
Every time you go
Every time you go
[Verse 1]
It starts with a picture
And it sits in your frame
And we part with a letter
And it ends in my name
And it starts with forever
And it ends with a touch
And I know that you’re clever
And I don’t ask for much
[Refrain]
Maybe we forgot all the things we are, when are together
[Verse 2]
You said I’m arresting
You said I had heat
I really thought that we’d go further
The second time we meet
Cause I’m tired of trying to keep you
All I want to do is sleep
And perhaps, when I’m sleeping
You’ll get back on your feet
[Refrain]
Maybe we forgot all the things we are, when are together
[Chorus]
Wake me up, wake me up
Stop my fall
Every time you go
Tape me up, then break me up
Ever so gently
When I’m at my weakest
[Post-Chorus]
It’s not so hard
Every time you go
[Verse 3]
I run out to meet you
When I knew a storm had come
I felt the rain on your face
And the damage you had done
I know what you’re thinking
It will never be the end
And when the storm is over
You won’t see me again
Didn’t know the price I paid for all the times I stayed
When we were together
[Chorus]
Wake me up, wake me up
Stop my fall
Every time you go
Tape me up, then break me up
Ever so gently
When I’m at my weakest
[Post-Chorus]
It’s not so hard
Every time you go
[Bridge]
Maybe we forgot, are we awake, or not?
Maybe we forgot, are we awake, or not?
Maybe we forgot, are we awake, or not?
Or maybe we forgot
[Chorus (2x)]
Wake me up, wake me up
Stop my fall
Every time you go
Tape me up, then break me up
Ever so gently
When I’m at my weakest
[Post-Chorus]
It’s not so hard
Every time you go
I haven’t really noticed this phenomenon. I’ll have to look out for it.