Divide – The Concordian

Ed Sheeran – ÷ (Atlantic Records, 2017)

After taking a break from social media for a year to travel the world, singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran is back with his third studio album, ÷. From incorporating the Irish fiddle in “Galway Girl,” to the high-energy afrobeats in “Bibia Be Ye Ye”—where he also sings in Twi, a common dialect in Ghana—it’s evident his time away inspired him. While some tracks feature Sheeran singing with just a guitar or piano, such as the emotional closing track “Save Myself,” overall, the album is more instrumentally dynamic when compared to his first two albums. “Perfect” is the ultimate love ballad, and is sure to be the first dance song at every wedding this summer. The sassiness in “New Man” is humorous, as Sheeran sing-raps about an ex lover who’s now with someone who’s the opposite of him: “He wears sunglasses indoors, in winter, at nighttime, and every time a rap song comes on, he makes a gun sign.” ÷ is sure to please the bulk of Sheeran fans—it’s dynamic, but he doesn’t stray too far from the acoustic style that makes him so popular.

Trial Track: “Galway Girl”

Rating: 7.5/10

Ed Sheeran – “Shape of You” & “Castle on the Hill” (Asylum & Atlantic Records, 2017)

Ed Sheeran has dropped two singles from his newest album, Divide, to be released March 3. “Shape of You,” already playing on the radio, embodies a different style than Sheeran’s usual calm and soulful melodies. The single has more of a pop sound and, although it’s missing depth and emotion in its lyrics, it is a catchy song. The lyrics describe falling for a woman in a bar and a would-be chase. There is a lack of sincerity in the lyrics—Sheeran’s past music focused on storytelling and relatable emotions. “Castle on the Hill” is more reminiscent of Sheeran’s usual style, and raw emotion is heard as he sings the chorus. He tells a detailed story from his youth, and his calm, smooth voice resonates in your ears. Both songs are worth listening to, although fans may not appreciate Sheeran’s attempt to branch out. We’ll be keeping our ears open for his new album.

7.5/10

Trial Track: “Castle on the Hill”