While this 23-year-old songstress may have her roots grounded in folk, she's made sure her commercial debut keeps her on the charts and not in dingy British taverns.

It seems the plan worked, as Ellie Goulding has stolen the pop spotlight with an array of number ones, radio play and prestigious award nominations. Or should we say, wins. She not only won the BBC Sound of 2010 poll, but managed to snatch up the prominent Critics' Choice Award at this year's Brit Awards.

So, is 'Lights' as good as they're saying it is? Yes and no.

Her first single, 'Under The Sheets' got her some much-deserved attention from pop fans the world over, but the real success comes in the form of the second, and current, single, 'Starry Eyed'. To say this song is catchy would be a massive understatement. It's no wonder it's on the lips of every second trendy teen.

While there are a couple of noteworthy tracks on the album, like 'Wish I Stayed' and 'Salt Skin', cheesy songs like 'The Writer' make Goulding sound like a badly watered-down version of Taylor Swift. And 'This Love (Will Be Your Downfall)' makes her seem like she's trying too hard to head in the direction of Florence and the Machine ? unsuccessfully so.

Despite the rather obvious cracks in her inoffensive first offering ? including the use of the incredibly overused Auto-Tune ? 'Starry Eyed' and Goulding's bubbly persona have managed to score her a supporting slot on John Mayer's upcoming May tour.

So, maybe you should give this album a listen, even if it is brief ? because let's face it, with only a handful of new pop artists to choose from at the moment ? anything, including Ellie Goulding, is better than Ke$ha.