Music review: Ed Sheeran – 鈥楧ivide鈥�
If Adele is the reigning queen of the British music scene, then Ed Sheeran plays the role of prince waiting to take his throne.
Both superstars have released three incredible studio albums over the course of their careers with each album demonstrating the growth and maturity of both artists.
鈥淲elcome to the new show/I guess you know I鈥檝e been away,鈥� sings Sheeran on the opening track of his third album 鈥淒ivide.鈥�
It鈥檚 been three years since the 26-year-old singer-songwriter鈥檚 last release and Sheeran鈥檚 musical diversity takes the spotlight with 12 engaging tracks featuring delicious flavorings of hip-hop, pop, soul and Celtic folk.
Following up on the huge success of the moving ballad 鈥淭hinking Out Loud鈥� from 鈥淴,鈥� the latest release certainly contains its share of romantic arrangements.
鈥淒ive鈥� is a passionate slow burn that features Sheeran sounding like John Mayer (only more likable and believable) as he belts out, 鈥淒on鈥檛 call me baby/Unless you mean it.鈥� 鈥淪hape of You鈥� carries an infectious vibe reminiscent of Vampire Weekend on a number that could easily be a Justin Timberlake or Adam Levine tune with its sexy overtones.
鈥淧erfect鈥� is tender love serenade that carries the same sincere sentiment of Eric Clapton鈥檚 鈥淲onderful Tonight鈥� with Sheeran confessing, 鈥淣ow I know I have met an angel in person/And she looks perfect/I don鈥檛 deserve this/You look perfect tonight.鈥�
Hip-hop influences the driving beat of the edgy 鈥淓raser鈥� and 鈥淕alway Girl鈥� is a rousing number bursting with a spirited blend of Celtic folk that sounds like a pub sing-along.
鈥淐astle on the Hill鈥� flashes hints of early U2 with a guitar-driven structure that plays like a stadium anthem driving Sheeran鈥檚 soaring vocals about returning home to simpler times and the memories of growing up.
Heartache dominates 鈥淗appier鈥� as Sheeran sings about the one that got away and the difficulty of moving on and finding the same happiness as his former lover.
鈥淣ew Man鈥� finds Sheeran trading in his heartache and jealousy for a witty display of mockery toward his ex鈥檚 new love interest.
鈥淪upermarket Flowers鈥� closes the album and will surely produce its share of tears as Sheeran pens a moving track in memory of his late grandmother as he softly declares, 鈥淚 hope that I see the world as you did 鈥檆ause I know/A life with love is a life that鈥檚 been lived.鈥�
With 鈥淒ivide,鈥� Sheeran provides an abundance of love while displaying a life that鈥檚 being lived to its fullest.
Sheeran comes to Pittsburgh鈥檚 PPG Paints Arena for a must-see performance on September 26.