Ed Sheeran hasn’t released an album since ‘x’ back in 2014. However, he made his highly-anticipated return earlier this year with a surprise release of two new singles. Since then, ‘Shape Of You’ and ‘Castle On The Hill’ have become two of the biggest releases of the year so far. Now, the crooner has finally released ‘÷’ – his third studio album.
‘÷’ sees Ed Sheeran at his very best. Much like the first two records, Ed stays true to the guitar-driven pop tracks we’ve become accustomed to, however, he pushes himself creatively more than ever before. The singer has always been a fan of rapping on his material and you can expect more of that on ‘÷’, however, Ed takes a dance approach on ‘Shape Of You’, is inspired by traditional Irish music on ‘Galway Girl’ and even has a strong Maskandi influence on the African-inspired ‘Bibia Be Ye Ye’ which appears on the deluxe version of the record.
Ed Sheeran demands perfection and each track on the album is immaculately put together. From the lyrics to the harmonies to the production, everything is done right. Ed is a phenomenal songwriter and, as expected, ‘÷’ has some of Ed’s most spectacular writing to date. The artist tells stories on the album. Whether a break-up song like ‘New Man’, a love song like ‘Perfect’ or a song about personal struggle like ‘Eraser’, Ed is able to articulate what he wants to say in the most magnificent. It’s the thing that has set Ed apart and something he is incredibly good at.
The singer teamed up with producers Johnny McDaid and Benny Blanco to ensure that the album is crafted in a way which stays true to his artistry while still being commercial enough to continue his rise to superstardom. The song is incredibly catchy and it’s refreshing hearing a pop record that is so raw in emotion while still being perfectly suited for radio. It’s not something many can accomplish (Adele is the master of this craft) and it’s the reason so many have identified with him. Vocally, moments on ‘Barcelona’ and ‘Castle On The Hill’ see the singer push his vocals further than ever before and it’s great to hear. Ed is a phenomenal vocalist and showcases his instrument beautifully on the album. From ballads to up-tempo tracks and even rap, Ed smashes every single note he sings.
The album, however, is not without its imperfections. I’m a bit disappointed that ‘Shape Of You’ is the only dance-driven song. The song is a massive hit and it would be great to see the singer follow-up on his take on the genre. Ed also delivers the exact record we were expecting him to release. While his consistency is admirable, the album is a predictable Ed Sheeran album. Also, while I’m a fan of the experimentation, the album tends to sound a little messy sonically. However, if you look at the songs individually, each one is great which makes up for the bizarre sonic decisions.
Overall, Ed is back with a phenomenal new album. I’d be lying if I said it’s perfect, but it’s another solid release from the star. He is a quintessential performer and I have a feeling this is going to be one of the biggest releases of 2017. Welcome back, Ed. We’ve missed you!
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