By: James Southworth
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
On initial look, one could see Ed Sheeran as a bit of a cliche in the pop world: he's a solo artist, is known for making relationship songs, and he plays acoustic guitar. He checks off all the boxes for what can make a successful pop star. And that he most certainly is: he's very well-known, and all of his albums have been successful. But I tend to think that Sheeran is a bit different than his pop contemporaries. His relationship songs tend to be creative, often having well-developed stories attached to them. His guitar playing is backed up by a lot of other interesting instrumentation. He is good by himself, too, sounding sincere most of the time when he's playing, and his voice is unique. Sheeran's newest album, "Divide", has some weak spots for sure, but it still overall shows how consistent Sheeran is in delivering some quality pop material.
The album gets off to a great start with the upbeat song "Eraser". This one was a bit of a surprise for me, as it featured Sheeran rapping, which appeared only at brief moments in "Multiply". But Sheeran shows great skill in his rapping, as he has a really good flow and couples it with some great singing. I also really like the lyrical content of this song, as Ed discusses the hardships that can come with a life of always being in the spotlight: "I used to think that nothing could be better than touring the world with my songs/I chased the picture perfect life, I think they painted it wrong/I think that money is the route of all evil, and fame is hell/Relationships and hearts you fix, they break as well". This song is a great way to start off the album, as it immediately establishes Sheeran as someone who wants to connect with his audience and be as personal as possible. With that being said, this song transitions perfectly into what I personally think is the best song on the album "Castle on the Hill". This is the first time that Sheeran has tried to tackle the arena rock style, and he absolutely nails it. The song is great lyrically as Sheeran is reminiscing on his childhood, on a time in which things were simpler. Now, this does sound a little cliche, but the way that he delivers this idea is unique, as he points out events specific to his own life. That makes this song have more connectivity. The guitar work shines in this song, along with the big drums in the background, and the subtle usage of electronic effects adds rather than detracts to the intensity the track delivers. This song will work perfectly in a live setting. What bolsters this song even more is the catchy chorus will get stuck in your head for days. This is easily my favorite Sheeran song to date.
The first ballad of this album is "Dive", and it is probably one of the best ballads on here. It establishes this simple guitar/drum pattern that repeats over and over while Ed sings over it. It makes for a great listen where Ed's vocals are front and center, which is what a song this personal needs. This is clearly a relationship song, but it's one that is filled with sincerity. Ed wants to know if this girl he likes is leading him on or not, and no matter how much he knows her bad reputation, he keeps on coming after her. The song paints this sort of depressing cycle of a one-sided relationship, and it makes you feel for Sheeran's struggle. "Perfect" is a refreshingly sweet ballad where Sheeran sings about how much he loves an unnamed woman. In a world of pop songs where relationships are unfortunately defined more by objectification and sex, this song is a needed change (unfortunately, Sheeran gives into this mainstream mentality at other points on the album, but more on that later). "Galway Girl" is another major highlight on this album, as it is yet again a unique change from Sheeran's typical style. The song is an Irish-tinged dance song, and I have to say, it's a lot of fun. It's a detraction from Sheeran's usually more depressing relationship song style, and I like the change. It makes for a song that can just be purely enjoyed by just about anyone. This song feels like a crowd-pleaser while also being unique.
There are several other songs that deserve mention on this album. "What Do I Know" is an inspiring acoustic song that proudly proclaims "Love can change the world in a moment/But what do I know?". Something about Sheeran's voice sounds particularly good here, which only makes this track that much better. "Hearts Don't Break Around Here" is another love ballad that just feels laced with charm, and that comes out of Sheeran's well-penned lyrics: "She is the river flow in Orwell/And tin wind chimes used for doorbells/Fields and trees and her smell, fill my lungs". The different types of imagery used in this track creates a vivid picture of the relationship the two people in this song have, and it makes for something that feels real and tangible. I love that about this track, making it another highlight. The album ends on the touching "Supermarket Flowers", a song dedicated to Ed's mother who passed away. This song is filled with real emotion; you can hear it emanating in Ed's voice. The piano medley accompanies the song well, and makes for a track that is appropriately somber in nature. I also recommend you check out the deluxe edition of this album, as there are some solid songs on it, especially in the fun "Nancy Mulligan" and the powerful ballad "Save Myself".
This album is not without some weak tracks. I had mentioned briefly earlier that sometimes Ed gives in to the pop cliches of objectifying the people he's attracted to, and also musically detracting from the creative tunes he usually makes. This is all too apparent on the lead single "Shape of You", which is definitely my least favorite track on the album, as well as one of the worst tracks Sheeran has created. I didn't like it much the first time I heard it, and I dislike it more every time I hear it. It has some cliched electronic effects throughout the whole song. Also, Sheeran sounds surprisingly processed and bored in this track. The song objectifies women in an almost distasteful way, as Ed repeatedly admits the only reason he is attracted to this woman is for her body: "Girl you know I want your love/Your love was handmade for somebody like me/Come on now follow my lead/I may be crazy don’t mind me". I hate that this song is getting way more attention than "Castle on the Hill" (the other lead single), but it doesn't surprise me. The song was clearly calculated with absolute precision to have success on mainstream radio, and that makes me dislike it all the more. "New Man" suffers from similar problems, as Sheeran gleefully talks about how this girl he is with is cheating on her other boyfriend. This song is also musically generic in almost every way possible. "Happier" is a typical break up song with a story I've heard over and over: Sheeran sees the girl he used to love with another man, and he "lets her go" because he knows she'll be happier with him. Ed doesn't present this story in any new or interesting way, and this is one song where he sounds like that usual sad person playing an acoustic guitar. "How Would You Feel (Paean)" feels like it's copying a little too much off "Thinking Out Loud", and nothing in general about the track sticks out.
Overall, "Divide" is a solid album with plenty of great tracks to keep listeners hooked. I can confidently say this is my favorite album by Sheeran to date, as it has songs that I see as a lot more memorable than the tracks off of "Multiply" and "Plus". This album is recommended, even to those who don't usually like pop. Sheeran is good enough to bridge the divide between those who do and don't like pop, as he has a great tendency to let his talent bleed through all his tracks in a way that feels natural. I am definitely excited to see what Sheeran does next, as he seems to be improving with every album he releases.
Favorite Songs: "Castle On the Hill", "Hearts Don't Break Around Here", "Galway Girl", "Save Myself", "Eraser"
Least Favorite Songs: "Shape of You", "New Man", "Happier", "How Would You Feel (Paean)"
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