Ed Sheeran has been churning out great music since 2011. With a Grammy award and several top forty hits off his second album, Sheeran is seemingly unstoppable.
But, for the past two years, it looked as though the British singer-songwriter shied away from the music scene.
After an incredibly successful second album release, with popular tracks like “Don’t,” “Thinking Out Loud” and “Photograph,” Sheeran stood back to produce an array of new music and came out even stronger with a triumphant third studio album.
“Divide” was released in early March and did not take long to gain traction. Sheeran teased the album with songs like, “Castle on the Hill” and “Shape of You,” before the album’s release date, making fans and listeners even more anxious for its arrival.
“Divide” brings back Sheeran’s well-known blend of pop rock, folk and hip-hop breaks, and already became 2017’s top-selling album.
The deluxe version of the album boasts a full 16 tracks and nearly an hour of catchy tunes.
It is hard to thoroughly pinpoint Sheeran’s overall sound on this album, which enhances the music and his album.
However, Sheeran is somewhat of a conundrum, placing his distinct style can be difficult.
“Divide” hosts a plethora of sounds by mixing together his usual pop rock sound with jazzy beats, lengthy melodies, sharp hints of hip-hop and alternative vibrations.
The most significant aspect of Sheeran’s albums, especially “Divide” is found in his ability to sketch a scene into music. Most of the album is comprised of a series of stories and memories.
“Eraser” the first track of the album brings a strong pop rock sound to kick of the whole list. This track shows off Sheeran’s ability to mix strong, melodious vocals with a hint of rap music. Sheeran plays both roles of singer and rapper.
“Castle on the Hill” brings a more wistful tone to the album. This track takes on a folksier vibe, adding to the versatility of Sheeran’s set. Similar to the sounds of Mumford and Sons or the Lumineers, this track blends an anthem-like feel with folk undertones.
With “Shape of You,” Sheeran brought a new sound to his repertoire by adding in hints of Caribbean pop. This upbeat track mixes Sheeran’s high pitched vocals along with bursts of hip-hop.
“Dive” slows the album down, and brings a bluesy, jazzy John Mayer-esque feel to the list. Sheeran carries a strong vibrato to the track, utilizing his powerful vocal ability. A grittiness to his voice compliments the smooth scratch of the background instruments onto this track.
“Bibia Be Ye Ye” then puts an unexpected twist on the album. It is upbeat, catchy and quick in its lyrics and instrumentals.
“What Do I Know” generates a Jack Johnson sort of vibe. Its lyrics are catchy and whistle-worthy. The lyrics flow quickly against a smooth, slow set of instrumentals. The sound of Sheeran humming play against the background to create the perfect song to sing with friends.
With a baseline of pop rock, Sheeran definitely knows how to cater to the pop crowd, but keeps producing unexpected albums and tracks by showcasing a plethora of capabilities. This album shows off all the ways in which Sheeran has continuously evolved and put a twist on everything he does.
Hailey Stewart can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @Hailey_ann97