Review: Divide by Ed Sheeran

In December 2015, singer Ed Sheeran announced that he was taking a break from social media to travel the world. He wanted to see everything that he may have missed during the time he spent glued to the screen of his mobile phone. He also assured fans that a new album is on its way.

After two years, the wait is finally over now that Sheeran, 26, has released his latest album, ÷ (Divide). He makes up for lost time with Shape Of You, a pop number about a new and exciting relationship with dancehall influences that is just impossible to resist. You can’t help but want to sing along especially at the part where he goes: “Girl you know I want your love/Your love was handmade for somebody like me”.

Castle On The Hill was also released as a new single at the same time. It’s a fast guitar-driven autobiographical track in which Sheeran remembers his hometown in Suffolk, England. It’s one of those anthemic songs tailor-made to pump up a stadium crowd.

ed sheeran

While Sheeran may have carved a reputation as an all-round endearing nice guy/Taylor Swift’s best friend in pop music, he does have a shady side, if this album is to be believed. In the song New Man, Sheeran raps about an ex-girlfriend’s new squeeze. Like a delicious “diss” track, he points out the man’s obsession with looks and questionable shopping habits: “I heard he spent five hundred pounds on jeans/Goes to the gym at least six times a week”. It’s a fun, relatable number especially for those out there still checking on their exes on social media.

In the end, the good guy prevails as Sheeran reminds the ex that she should not be stuck in a relationship with such an unsavoury man.

If you’re looking for a ballad to slow-dance at a wedding, then How Would You Feel (Paean) should be it. It’s a saccharine-sweet ballad complete with lyrics like (“I’ll be taking my time/Spending my life/Falling deeper in love with you”). Plus, who can say no to a song with a guitar solo by John Mayer?

Fun fact: Sheeran wrote this song for his girlfriend Cherry Seaborn.

Divide has everything that an Ed Sheeran fan has been waiting for and more.


Ed Sheeran

Divide
Warner Music

ed sheeran

Ed Sheeran’s latest album Divide features the hit single Shape Of You. Photo: Warner Music

 

advertise
advertise
advertise

top navigation

advertise