Three years after his last album, ÔÇÿÔÇÖMultiplyÔÇÖÔÇÖ, Grammy winning artist Ed Sheeran is back with a bang with his much awaited third studio album Divide. The album consists of a collection of upbeat songs as well as ballads. The overall feel of the album is a very easy-going ÔÇô ÔÇÿÔÇÖman in loveÔÇÖÔÇÖ sort of vibe. Songs like ÔÇÿÔÇÖWhat do I know?ÔÇÖÔÇÖ talk about simple gifts in life like love and positivity ÔÇô I always feel like big artists making songs like these create so much change in the world. It almost gives off a ÔÇÿÔÇÖanything can happen – if he believes in itÔÇÖÔÇÖ sort of feeling. The album features a lot of what I like to call ÔÇÿÔÇÖRoad-trip esque songsÔÇÖÔÇÖ like ÔÇÿGalway GirlÔÇÖ, BarcelonaÔÇÖ, ÔÇÿBibia Be Ye YeÔÇÖ & ÔÇÿCastle on the HillÔÇÖ that were heavily influenced by SheeranÔÇÖs travels during his hiatus. In the song Barcelona, he tries his hand at singing a couple of lines of the chorus in Spanish. Ed SheeranÔÇÖs following has always had a very global reach: The Divide Tour consisted of places like Asia, Australia and Europe. This is probably because of his very mainstream pop genre. (Not that IÔÇÖm complaining!). ÔÇÿÔÇÖEraserÔÇÖÔÇÖ features Ed Sheeran rapping about the pitfalls of fame behind a very sexy Latin music score.
Ed SheeranÔÇÖs forte has always been love songs, but not just love songs though ÔÇôÔÇÿÔÇÖover the top, make you believe that your one true love existsÔÇÖ type of love songs. Who knows? Maybe it does! Songs like ÔÇÿDiveÔÇÖ, ÔÇÿHow would you feel? (Paen), and ÔÇÿPerfectÔÇÖ are every womanÔÇÖs fantasy on the concept of love coming to life in the form of Ed SheeranÔÇÖs extremely romantic lyrics. The track ÔÇÿPerfectÔÇÖ which was written about Ed SheeranÔÇÖs girlfriend (his high school sweetheart) have lyrics like ÔÇÿÔÇÖShe shares my dreams, I hope that someday I’ll share her homeÔÇÖÔÇÖ and is soon becoming the love song of the generation. ┬áSheeranÔÇÖs perspective of romance still being an all-encompassing, passionate, butterflies in your stomach concept, touches the heart of every hopeless romantic out there. However with love, comes heartbreak – the album showcases songs like ÔÇÿHappierÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿSave MyselfÔÇÖ which brings out Ed SheeranÔÇÖs post breakup side that is one of the most relatable aspects of his music.
The album isnÔÇÖt particularly risk taking or dramatic, but sometimes itÔÇÖs good to keep it close to home. Sheeran has created extraordinary tracks on ordinary stories that has appealed to huge variety of fans. Whether its gushing about your partner, the loss of someone heartfelt or just a song you need to bang out to on a road trip, Sheeran is available to get these tales soaring. Divide is a well-made album, with Sheeran keeping in mind the commercial value of music as well as speaking his deepest thoughts about life and love.
Ashavari Baral
If you want to hear some more of the years top picks, come have a deek at our playlist!