Ed Sheeran’s new album solves pop stereotypes
May 3, 2017
The housewarming voice of Ed Sheeran draws crazed “Sheerios” to his love filled lyrics of poetry. Smooth pop songs mixed with a sensitive acoustic melody brings the breath-taking feeling of passion and yearning loss from the newest Ed Sheeran album, “Division.”
The rhythmic feeling compels “Division” listeners to sway to the soothing music. Upbeat moods and catchy lyrics raises the attitudes of Sheeran’s eccentric audience.
The U.K.’s sensational and grammy-winning artist/song writer began his career as a young guitar player in Halifax, West Yorkshire. The young Sheeran found his inspiration through Damien Rice, a songwriter, who advised him to write his own music. Sheeran took his words to heart by eagerly recording and selling his production of music on CDs. Later he rushed to leave for London, at the age of 14, to continue his career to be a music star.
Sheeran thrived in hits and gained many fans that led to his many appearances on radio shows. He made his debut through his first album, “Plus,” and co-wrote songs with top pop-singers like Taylor Swift and One Direction.
Since the release of his first album, Sheeran rolled in his next success from the song, “I see fire,” which was featured in “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.” After the movie-promoted song, his second album, “Multiply,” increased the attention of pop music fans. This motivated Sheeran to work relentlessly, creating his third album “Division” released in March of 2017.
The first song on this newest album, “Shape of you,” is a well-written and replayed song that hides the deep meaning of Sheeran’s feelings for his love. The beat and momentum of the song follows the trend of stereotypical modern day pop songs written about love and loss.
Another song featured on the album takes a different turn. “7 years” by Lukas Graham, one of the biggest hits on the radio to a Grammy-winning song, is similar to Sheeran’s song “Castle on the Hill,” which describes the shaping of a young man. This song, however, is built off of the people he grew up with and the days he spends missing being with them.
“Happier” allows the listener to take the ‘pain train’ to the destination of acceptance. Sheeran shares how he hurt this girl and how she moved onto someone else who treated her better. Sheeran must accept the fact that he did not treat her well and he has to let her move on.
An additional song, “Barcelona,” is an upbeat feel-good piece that can bring anyone to their feet. It veers away from the sadder songs about love and life in the album. The song presents a setting in the city of Barcelona with Sheeran taking his beloved to a place that is plentiful and exciting for a couple to have fun with each other.
“Supermarket Flowers” is not like other songs on the album. It is about the loss Sheeran experiences after his grandmother passed away during his creation of the album, “Division”. He sings slowly to the hair-rising background about him coping with the fact of her passing and how she has been there for him while growing up.
“Division” has a comparable tone like any other stereotypical pop album. However, the lyrics are deep and personal for Sheeran. Despite the personal connection Sheeran shares with his listeners, this album remains similar to his others, with no removal from his comfort zone.
The album truly emphasizes the fanatical rollercoaster someone can go through in life. The music draws listeners who have experienced the high and low as well as the black and white aspects of a relationships and life. This album is highly recommended to pop music fans and to any listener who is in the mood for sentimental and feel-good vibes.