So, first of all, I've always had a bit of an obsession with Ed. Not just the OHMYGOSH I LURV HIS MUSIC obsession. Like, I have an obsession with him as a person. He's a ginger, like me, so I feel an immediate connection to him. He also has the coolest tattoo sleeve of all time. And he's BFFLs with T-Swizzle. If you ask any of my friends, I swear up and down on a regular basis that he will be my husband. And they all say, but Lacey, you don't really know him.
I'd argue that I do.
No, I haven't met him, and no, I don't have telepathic abilities. But Ed's music is highly autobiographical. His music is incredibly introspective, and it offers a narrative of his life and his thoughts. His newest album certainly shows us his ups and his downs, his loves and losses.
And now, for my Top 5 (I couldn't possibly order them in any particular way, so these are just random):
- "Photograph": Basically, if you don't like this song, you're wrong. Pure, romantic, sweet, classic Ed.
- "Thinking Out Loud": This song takes me back to some older soul music, and it's a little bit reminiscent of Marvin Gaye and maybe Stevie Wonder a little bit. Stellar vocals on this one. It's also a serious contender for my first dance song at my wedding, it's that touching and romantic.
- "I'm A Mess": This song is an acoustic number about inner turmoil and the self-destructive touch Ed seems to feel he adds to every relationship (a theme also touched upon in the very catchy "Nina"). It's catchy, conflicted, and emotional.
- "Bloodstream": Seriously, this song is amazing. It has a very indie, Snow Patrol vibe (probably because one of Snow Patrol's members helped create it), and it is very gritty and dark and definitely shows the tumultuous side of Ed Sheeran. Very, very cool sounding. It kind of builds up throughout the whole song until suddenly it's this big orchestration at the end and...just go listen to it, I have no more words.
- "Take it Back": This song is only available on the Deluxe version, and it's definitely one of the songs that many aren't going to like because Ed's rapping. There's been a lot of mixed reviews on his rapping, and a lot of people think he's trying to hard to change into a pop-y artist. But all of his previous music has included some rap elements, so that argument is invalid. Ranting aside, this song literally won't get out of my head. I've made it my personal goal to be able to rap the insanely well-penned and delivered verses, and the chorus is simple but vocally outstanding. This song was the perfect combination of staying true to his roots and branching out and trying new things.
All in all, this album is everything I could've wanted it to be and more. Stellar, work, my husband!...I mean, Mr. Sheeran....
My rating: 6/5
~ Lacey :)
