"Anything Could Happen" Ellie Goulding

It's been a great year on the Hot 100 for foreign artists, who have ruled the chart for half of 2012 thanks in large part to Canada's Carly Rae Jepsen and Australia's Gotye. Also among the notables is quirky Brit Ellie Goulding, making her own impressive run to #2 this summer with sleeper hit "Lights," originally released in July 2011 and now the owner of several longevity records. She's back with "Anything Can Happen," a synth-y love song with retro sensibilities that serves as the lead single from her sophomore effort, Halcyon. Its jaunty midtempo bounce and cheerful message are pleasant enough, but except for the ethereal post-chorus chanting, "Happen" lacks the urgent energy that made "Lights" so immediately grabbing. B