Ed Sheeran’s ‘Divide’
depicts a vast array of sounds never once heard before on a collaborative album
First
there was + (pronounced ‘Plus’), where a born and bred Suffolk ginger-headed
teenager rose to prominence amidst a scratchy pubescent voice and skilful
acoustic guitar. Then came X (pronounced ‘Multiply’), where this softly-spoken
teenager morphed into a global star full of popularity, charisma and unbridled
talent. Now comes ‘Divide’, where the risqué and charming 25-year-old follows a
year long hiatus by settling down into a niche that perfects his sound in order
to produce his best and most memorable album.
You
wouldn’t expect it from the opening bars of the album though. With the sky blue
album cover eliciting ideas of strong adulthood and an exploration into the
chart-toppers that have littered his career, Sheeran does what Sheeran does;
produce a completely different sound that throws millions of fans worldwide.
This is seen in the opening song Eraser,
where the hardships and covert conflicts that come with rising to prominence
are eloquently divulged in a mixture of delightful guitar riffs and rap. An
extended version released on Youtube highlights Sheeran’s reflection on his
rise and his background, while the studio version includes an almost Spanish
guitar riff, along with a bridge that welcomes listeners “to the new show”. For
once, the rap songs that Sheeran can perfect are not hidden as B-sides, as his
sufficient rapping talents are directed at his life and internal struggles
instead of a particular female or the use of alcohol and drugs in order to
promote a certain struggle that is more meaningful than anything else on the
current music scene. Eraser theorises
the idea of finding “comfort” in “pain”, coating the other songs in a lens that
provides ulterior meanings.
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| A seasoned professional now, his third album is mature and diverse in sound |
Sheeran’s
soft pop ability is perpetuated throughout Dive.
The smooth guitar riffs and passionate vocals makes it a classic, as the rare
inclusion of Jessie Ware’s voice and an Eric Clapton guitar solo is the
equivalent of a soft ballad from ACDC.
The
popular chart-topper Shape Of You,
with the clever use of marimba’s and keyboard, creates a catchy and diverse
sound. Sheeran returns to the topic of love and lust that saw ‘Multiply’ become
so popular, with the popping keyboard signalling an expansive pop sound.
Followed by the primary ballad Perfect,
written in order to surpass the popularity of ‘Multiply’ hit Thinking Out Loud, ‘Divide’ takes upon a
variable sound. This wedding tune includes the crux of Sheeran’s love song
capabilities, as it is rhythmic, heart-wrenching and utterly beautiful. The
success of this song is a fundamental record in shaping the talent, ability and
worth of ‘Divide’.
After
Perfect is when the real diversity
arrives, with traditional Irish pipes is contrasted by rap and hip hop to
create the overwhelming song Galway Girl.
The variety epitomises the talent that allows the Suffolk singer-songwriter to
stand head and shoulders above his current contemporaries, while also appealing
to a mass population in the Irish. If Perfect
was comparative to Thinking Out Loud,
then seventh track Happier is similar
to Photograph, if not more
meaningful. Music expert Zane Lowe described it as “the most powerful song on
the album”, with the emotions and longing behind the lyrics and drawl of the
instruments flat lining pulses.
The
inconsistent divert is continued by New
Man, a cheeky sequel to Don’t. Exploring
the typical man who “owns every single Ministry CD” and has “his eyebrows
plucked and his arsehole bleached”, Sheeran’s contrasting sounds that form
beauty is contradicted by this zestful record that both shapes and diminishes
the power of the album.
Hearts Don’t Break Around Here follows,
as this comparison to the beautiful Tenerife
Sea makes it a high point of the album. Being Sheeran’s personal favourite,
it is pretty obvious as to why. The flow of lyrics and melody is memorable and
sweet, eliciting the idea of personalising the song for every listener.
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| Parading his new material off in the Sunday night slot at Glastonbury this year- an achievement that pays testament to the album |
If
that wasn’t enough, What Do I Know is
a catchy rhythmic song that couples with Hearts
Don’t Break Around Here to form the best two songs on the album. Rarely
seen political thoughts are expressed by Sheeran, as he theorises that “love
can change the world in a moment, but what do I know?”. It has a Love Yourself (written by Ed Sheeran)
vibe to it, yet it surpasses it in message and lyricism, such is the vocabulary
and rhyme of Sheeran.
The
album is then rewound to ‘+’, with the third released single in How Would You Feel (Paean) recounting
confessions of love towards current partner Cherry Seaborn. Piano ballads like
this have made the singer famous yet also chastised by hard-edged critics, as
it is a make or break number. But, no critics can denounce the following Supermarket Flowers, which encourages
tears in a moving tribute to Sheeran’s recently deceased grandmother. The
incredibly sensitive and moving song focusses on the small aspects of human
life, leaving the listeners emitting ‘wow’s’.
The
deluxe album contains four more tracks, including Barcelona, which emits daydreams of Sangria’s in Spanish sunshine. Bibia Be Ye Ye, recorded in Ghana,
expresses the increasing diversity of the album, as its chant and light-hearted
instrumentals represents a side of the sensitive Sheeran that many would never
have predicted. Irish folk song Nancy
Mulligan details tale of Sheeran’s grandparents forging a Romeo and Juliet
like love in Ireland. Final song Save
Myself reflects the inner demons that torture Sheeran in Eraser in a much softer and submissive
fashion.
All
in all, the year-long anticipated follow up for Sheeran is a masterpiece that
surpasses previous works due to the fact of his sheer diversity and talent. By
still maintaining the sensitive edges in his emotional works while branching
out into new songs that are incredulously catchy and talented, ‘Divide’ fulfils
his goals of being his best album to date, and perhaps remaining as the album
that defines his career.
Summary:
Best songs are What Do I Know, Hearts
Don’t Break Around Here and Eraser.
But, do listen to Galway Girl,
Supermarket Flowers and Barcelona.
4
and a ½ stars.
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