Ed Sheeran "÷" Album Review

This is the first review I ever wrote, though it is technically a “re-review” of sorts. This review is of Ed Sheeran’s latest album “÷.” The whole reason I called it a “re-review” was because it was the first review I had ever posted on my Facebook (all the way back in July of 2017!) and there was no picture attachment so, if you wanted to read my original review, you would’ve had to dig through a crapton of wall posts to get to it. So, I deleted the original wall post in October for the sake of this re-review. It’s mostly a copy and paste of the original, but I also wanted to re-review it a bit because a lot of these songs grew on me after the original review. Thus, I wanted to add some more specific thoughts. So here we go:

Eraser: Great showcase of Ed's rapping abilities, and I also love the hook. The acoustic guitar is also really strong. Fantastic start to the album.

Castle on the Hill: This one took some time to grow on me, but I really like the very personal lyrics and Ed’s passionate vocals. The hook is also fantastic, and I like the upbeat sound of this one.

Dive: I really like the hook a lot, like how Ed goes from down low, to suddenly exploding with this one. His vocals also sound great as usual. Another great song overall.

Shape of You: I'm still nodding my head and singing along to this so many months later. The hook is still irresistible, the instrumental is still catchy, and Ed’s vocals are, as always, wonderful.

Perfect: My future wedding song. I think this song just sounds so beautiful, both instrumentally and vocally. There’s something that’s just so beautiful about this one, it needs to be a chart-topper.

Galway Girl: The hook is incredibly catchy, Ed’s rapping is really strong, and I love the folk sound it has going for it. Like many of the songs on this album, I’ve broken the replay button on this one, and it never gets old.

Happier: Such a beautiful song, it even makes a person like me that has never had a breakup feel sad. The guitar track is wonderful, the vocals are heartbreaking, and I can forgive the comparisons to Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me” when this song is just so fantastic.

New Man: Hilarious lyrics, I was laughing so hard at the “bleached arsehole” line. The hook is also catchy, and I really like the upbeat sound. Once again, very enjoyable.

Hearts Don't Break Around Here: Back when I first heard this album, I declared that this was the worst song on the album. Ultimately, I think I just needed to let it grow on me because I think it’s very sweet, has a great instrumental, and I love the hook a lot. I’m not sure why I called this the worst on the album, it’s actually quite great.

What Do I Know?: Surprisingly political lyrics. This one has grown on me a lot over time, I like the lyrics a lot, the instrumental is awesome, and overall this is just a lot of fun.

How Would You Feel (Paean): Very nice, sweet song overall. Even if it’s a little empty in regards to vocals (there’s a lot of empty space), it’s so pretty and so pleasant to listen to. I think I also like it because I heard the lyrics on the hook (“how would you feel, if I told you I love you? It’s just something that I want to do…”) and related to them quite strongly.

Supermarket Flowers: The only song that has ever made me cry. The lyrics are absolutely beautiful, Ed’s vocals are heartbreaking, and the song itself sounds terrific. Honestly one of Ed’s best songs.

Barcelona: Feels like this should’ve been a "summer song.” It’s irresistible, it’s catchy, it’s upbeat, it’s fun, this is another replay-button breaker that just never gets old for me.

Bibia Be Ye Ye: Also feels like a "summer song." I like the lyrics a lot, the instrumental sound is awesome, and the hook is incredibly catchy and really positive. Always remember, my friends, se enioma enko ye, bibia be ye ye!

Nancy Mulligan: A really sweet ode to Ed's grandmother. I love the folk sound on this one and I think the hook is incredibly catchy. I haven’t broken the replay button on this one (BLAME PANDORA FOR NOT PLAYING IT ENOUGH!), but it’s still a really great song, and I can’t wait to hear it more in the future.

Save Myself: Again, when I first heard this song, I wasn’t very crazy about it. Revisiting it now, I actually like it! Sure, it’s kind of safe, but it’s light, the piano track is beautiful, and Ed’s vocals and lyrics are heartbreaking. Once again, maybe this one just needed to grow on me a little bit, and I’m glad it did.

Overall, you guys kind of get what I’m gonna say by now, this is one of my personal favorite albums. Ed continues to deliver relatable, fun, beautiful music, and that’s why he’s one of my favorite musicians to date. Even if he “panders” and all that, as I said before, there’s some kind of beauty to his songs that I just can’t resist.

Favorite tracks: Do I have to pick one? Yes? Well, umm...all of them! I'm breaking the rules here!

Least favorite tracks: Uh, Save Myself? No wait, I actually love that one. Hearts Don't Break Around Here? That one's grown on me a lot, and I love it now! Well then...none of them!

Rating: Excellent