After a year spent separated from social media, traveling the world, and writing new music, we finally have Ed Sheeran back. His new album Divide, the product of his hiatus, is so good it makes the year without Ed worth suffering through. With a mix of nostalgia and outside influences, Divide emanates Ed's experiences during his year abroad as well as a love for his roots. After several times listening through all the songs on the album, I decided to talk about a few of my favorites. My choices are based on if the song initially caught my attention, had a fun rhythm, or had an in-depth back story or lyrics. Here's 7 of my favorites.
*Just a disclaimer that my picks are based on my first few listens and that I love the entire album as well as everything else Ed has done or will do.
1. "Castle on the Hill"
"Castle on the Hill" sent Ed's fans into a frenzy as it was one of the first singles he released after his return. I love this song because it so clearly portrays Ed's appreciation of his hometown and upbringing. It shows that life takes people in many different directions and through many different situations, but it does not change origins. This song is nostalgic but fun and can inspire both relaxation and dancing around the room.
2. "Shape of You"
Ed has said he almost didn't put this song on the album, but let me be the first to thank him for doing so. He didn't think this song was 'him'. It's edgy and new but reflects singles from his previous album, x, such as "Sing", and "Don't". "Shape of You" works well as a single as it catches the attention of a wide array of people but is still very characteristically Ed. It's fun and edgy and it is necessary to belt every word whenever played.
3. "Perfect"
"Perfect" is "Thinking Out Loud" 2.0. While TOL has its merits, "Perfect" is the new and improved version. My only hope is that "Perfect" remains relatively under the radar and doesn't become overplayed like TOL. There's not much else to say other than the name portrays the song itself very well. It is indeed perfect.
4. "Galway Girl"
Such a fun song with obvious Irish influences, it sounds like an old jig mixed with a current pop song. One of my favorite musical qualities about Ed is his ability to mix influences to create something entirely unique but something a lot of different people can appreciate and get into. "Galway Girl" is exactly that.
5. "What Do I Know?"
This is the type of song that you jam to while sitting in your bed; it is a relaxed bop. It's fun but not crazy and I love the diversity of it. The lyrics are fantastic with a lesson to be learned. Ed sings about the stage (literally and metaphorically) he has been given through his career and claims essentially, love and music can change the world. It's a humble and subtle comment on the power of music.
6. "Barcelona"
This is the song that will be stuck in your head for several hours or even days after listening to it. I don't know how many times the lyrics, "you and I, we're flying on an aeroplane tonight" and "drinking sangria" have run through my head. It's cute, catchy, and makes you want to be in another country, living out the lyrics of the song.
7. "Nancy Mulligan"
I didn't purposely save this for last, but I have to say this is my favorite song of the album. The song being written from Ed's grandfather's perspective is the most heart-warming angle and the main reason I love this. Like "Galway Girl", it has definite Irish influences, which goes so well with the background story. It is upbeat, fun, and heartwarming, and is the song I would introduce to someone had they asked, "What's the one song that embodies Divide as a whole?".
Now do yourself a favor and listen to all of Divide, as well as literally everything else Ed Sheeran has released.
