Album Thoughts: Divide by Ed Sheeran

"Save your loving arms for a rainy day, / And I'll find comfort in my pain eraser," sings Ed on the opening track, his signature harmony layering the song, coupled with a distinct guitar strumming that is evident in everything he writes. "Eraser" is a journey back to Ed's musical roots: a heavy hip hop influence with his singer/songwriter style.

Sidenote: before I truly start this review, I have to preface it with a story. I found Ed before the release of his debut album, "+". I instantly fell in love with his music, and every time I listen to that album, I'm just as amazed as the first time I heard it. However, because of that, I can't help but compare all his subsequent releases to that, and so, the rest of his music will almost inevitably fall short, since it's hard to echo the innocence of a debut album. 

Each song showcases a different musical style, an embodiment of the album's title; each track's style has a clear "divide" from its previous one. It's clear which songs were meant to cater to Ed's fans who like the pop aspect of his music, from the heavily produced "Shape of You" and  "Castle On The Hill", to the slower ballads of "Happier" and "How Do You Feel (Paen)". 

One of the most interesting aspects of "Divide" is how easy it is to trace which sound or writer influenced the song. "What Do I Know?", "Galway Girl," "Barcelona," and "Nancy Mulligan's" have Foy Vance's fingerprints all over them, as Ed clearly embraces the folk influence of his fellow singer/songwriter's music. The tracks seem as if they were chosen for their mixture of sounds: pop, mixed in with hip hop or a folk sound.

Though this album seems more sonically cohesive than its predecessor, it still lacks the same level of lyric wordplay from his first EPs and debut album. "+" established Ed's writing ability, but his subsequent releases lack the innocence of his debut: it's clear which songs on "Divide" are meant to be for radio, or which ones are supposed to be happy love songs to echo the success of "Thinking Out Loud." "New Man" is one of the few tracks in his lyric wordplay makes a comeback, with the exception of the live version of "Eraser." 

One of Ed's main strengths lies in his live performances; each track is reimagined with a loop pedal, possible mash-ups with other songs, or his sheer vocal ability. So while I may not be a fan of every song on this record, I have no doubt that if I were to see them performed life, I would instantly love them.

However, this album makes sure to make each track tell a story, which has always been Ed's specialty. "Supermarket Flowers" is written from his mother's perspective, which is a nuanced way to sing about a family member's death. "Barcelona" sounds like exactly how that city makes you feel. For me, nothing will ever compare to "+", but this album is definitely more put together than "X". The difference in the sound of each song is deliberate: overall, the album flows together well, something which was not as accomplished in "X." "Divide" reconciles the many different facets of Ed's musical style, as he found a way to incorporate his newfound success and couple it with the rapping that launched his musical career in "You Need Me Man, I Don't Need You." 

So, if you were a huge fan of Ed's music from the beginning of his career, this album might be a mixed bag for you. If you're a casual listener, you might actually like this album more, as there are so many sounds that it caters to all audiences. Regardless of how you feel about the songs themselves, Ed's talent is evident in every single one of these songs; his vocal ability alone could leave you speechless.

Rating: 4/5

Record Label: Atlantic Records

Release Date: March 3, 2017