Ed Sheeran is the immensely likeable prince of pop. A gentle, diligent and very British talent, his warm ordinariness feels so familiar that the whole world has invested in his success. That has continued with the release of his third LP, ‘÷’.
Having started out by busking for loose change and couch surfing, the Suffolk native now drops albums that secure him multiple chart hits simultaneously. But Sheeran’s honest music benefits immensely from his lack of ego and desire for fame, trappings that most artists commonly fall victim to or at least acknowledge.
Status and materialism are missing from the running order here and, given that he could name drop more epically than 99% of his pop contemporaries, that’s reassuring. On album opener Eraser he sings: “I think that money is the root of all evil and fame is hell.”
Speaking openly and honestly about the darker corners of the music industry, Sheeran then flip reverses it, composing Disney-esque love songs Perfect and Galway Girl to represent just how dynamic and emotional his lyrics can feel.
He explores his refined, stadium-designed sound without irony and charged with confidence, writing expertly crafted breakup songs that are exquisitely designed to liberate the dumped and heal emotional wounds. Here he finds glory in heartbreak. On the standout track, Dive, a sombre Sheeran fondly remembers losing a love which he now pines to rekindle. It’s classic Ed.
And elsewhere, that’s part of the problem. Playing on his ‘small town’ image, Castle on the Hill was the album’s lead single and is in many ways the weakest offering here. The best moments on ‘÷’ come from the progressive styles explored on Barcelona and Supermarket Flowers, not when Sheeran retreats to his comfort zone. Sitting together towards the end of the album, these songs are a metaphor for what’s he capable of doing and just why he’s conquer the globe.
Ed Sheeran Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Tue March 28 2017 - LONDON Royal Albert Hall
Wed April 12 2017 - DUBLIN 3Arena Dublin
Thu April 13 2017 - DUBLIN 3Arena Dublin
Sun April 16 2017 - GLASGOW SSE Hydro
Mon April 17 2017 - GLASGOW SSE Hydro
Wed April 19 2017 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Metro Radio Arena
Thu April 20 2017 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Metro Radio Arena
Sat April 22 2017 - MANCHESTER Arena
Sun April 23 2017 - MANCHESTER Arena
Tue April 25 2017 - NOTTINGHAM Motorpoint Arena Nottingham
Wed April 26 2017 - NOTTINGHAM Motorpoint Arena Nottingham
Fri April 28 2017 - BIRMINGHAM Barclaycard Arena Birmingham
Sat April 29 2017 - BIRMINGHAM Barclaycard Arena Birmingham
Mon May 01 2017 - LONDON O2 Arena
Tue May 02 2017 - LONDON O2 Arena
Wed May 03 2017 - LONDON O2 Arena
Click here to compare & buy Ed Sheeran Tickets at Stereoboard.com.
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
.jpg)
