Album review: “Divide” by Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran just recently released his third new album, “Divide.” I bought his last album, “Multiply (X)” when it was released back in 2014. I am a big fan of Ed Sheeran’s music, including his duets such as “All About It” with Hoodie Allen and “Lay It All On Me” with Rudemental. His new album is quite similar to his last one, however, I would say that this one is even better. Sheeran continues to show raw honesty through his lyrics and spill the details about his family, friends, and romances.

1. “Eraser”

5/5 stars

Favorite line: “I used to think that nothing could be better than touring the world with my songs, I chased the picture-perfect life, I think they painted it wrong.”

The album starts very strong with this track. It’s one of those tracks where he sounds like he’s rapping but he’s “just a singer with a game plan” (direct quote from “All About It”). This song is extremely honest and blunt. Sheeran discusses the psychological torture that comes with fame. You don’t really hear singers talk about that kind of stuff in their music.

2. “Castle on a Hill”

5/5 stars

Favorite line: “Tasted the sweet perfume of the mountain grass I rolled down, well I was younger then, take me back to when…”

This track is also quite strong. It’s pretty cute, too. He sings about his childhood memories (hey Ed, I also broke my leg when I was 6-years old!) and how he misses the good old days. This song is extremely uplifting.

3. “Dive”

4/5 stars

Favorite line: “I’ve been known to give my all and jumping in harder than ten thousand rocks on the lake.”

This is a song about falling for a person who seems like a player. Sheeran debates whether or not he should pursue someone who seems to be stringing him along. In my opinion, the lyrics are strong, but the melody isn’t my favorite.

4. “Shape of You”

5/5 stars

Favorite line: “One weekend we let the story begin, we’re going out on our first date. You and me are thrifty so go all-you-can-eat, fill up your bag, and I fill up your plate.”

Chances are you have already heard this song on the radio since it’s the lead single! I absolutely love this song! The beat is my favorite part about it. On top of it, the lyrics are adorable. The song is about Sheeran beginning to date a new girl and feeling excited about it.

5. “Perfect”

4/5 stars

Favorite line: “She shares my dreams, I hope that someday I share her home.”

Such a sweet song! It is the first slow-paced ballad on the album. People count on Ed Sheeran to deliver beautiful love songs like this. This is Sheeran’s ode to the love of his life.

6. “Galway Girl”

5/5 stars

Favorite line: “She played the fiddle in an Irish band but she fell in love with an English man.”

Oh my gosh. One of my favorite tracks on the album. It is a beautiful blend of modern hip-hop and Celtic folk. Only Sheeran could pull off a melody like this. This song is extremely catchy and lighthearted. It makes me very happy.

7. “Happier”

4/5 stars

Favorite line: “You look happier, you do. My friends told me one day I’ll feel it too.”

Here comes another ballad. This song is both happy and sad, both full of peacefulness and regret. Sheeran runs into an ex who looks happier with her new man than she ever was with him. He misses her; but he is happy that she is happier now.

8. “New Man”

5/5 stars

Favorite line: “He wears sunglasses indoors, in winter, at nighttime.”

Just like Galway Girl, this song is also super catchy. Sheeran’s lyrics are full of sass. He don’t wanna hear about your new man! It seems to me that Sheeran is describing an old lover who still talks to him, but she’s changed into a prissy narcissist because she started dating a total d-bag.

9. “Hearts Don’t Break Around Here”

3/5 stars

Favorite line: “Daisies, daisies, perched upon your forehead.”

It’s a pretty cute song. Once again, the sweet ballads continue. However, it doesn’t necessarily stand out to me. It’s a wonderful song but it’s not my favorite.

10. “What Do I Know?”

5/5 stars

Favorite line: “Everybody’s talking ’bout exponential growth and the stock market crashing and their portfolios, while I’ll be sitting here with a song that I wrote saying, ‘love can change the world in a moment,’ but what do I know?”

This is a song about politics. In the first line, Sheeran mentions how his father always told him to stay away from political issues. Sheeran partially agrees, but also feels like he should use his music to make a difference. What he wants to do with his music is spread the love because he believes that love is powerful enough to heal us.

11. “How Would You Feel (Paean)”

3/5 stars

Favorite line: “I’ll be taking my time, spending my life, falling deeper in love with you.”

Not one of my favorites, perhaps it still needs to grow on me. In this track, Sheeran expresses his adoration and gratefulness for his woman. What a sweetheart.

12. “Supermarket Flowers”

4/5 stars

Favorite line: “When God takes you back, you’ll say hallelujah, you’re home.”

This is a real tear-jerker. It’s a song about the death of Sheeran’s grandmother. The melody is sweet, simple, and calming. (Very sad way to end an album…)

DELUXE TRACKS:

13. “Barcellona”

5/5 stars

Favorite line: “Get up-up on the dance floor tonight, I’ve got two left feet and a bottle of red wine.”

This acoustic guitar track is also a party anthem. I love the way he mixes different styles together to create something new. Best dance track on the album.

14. “Bibia Be Ye Ye”

2/5 stars

Favorite line: “I tell myself in every way I won’t be doing this again and tomorrow’s a brand new day.”

Fun, light-hearted track. However, also very all-over-the-place and kind of cheesy. Personally, I don’t think it’s so great.

15. “Nancy Mulligan”

5/5 stars

Favorite line: “She was Nancy Mulligan and I was William Sheeran. She took my name and then we were one, down by the wexford border.”

Amazing song! It’s very, very Irish-sounding! This is about Sheeran’s grandfather and grandmother when they first met and got married. It’s so heartwarming.

16. “Save Myself”

4/5 stars

Favorite line: “I gave all my oxygen to people that could breathe.”

Good song about how Sheeran realizes that he tries too hard to make people happy or “fix them” while they give him nothing in return, thus draining him. He concludes that before he can try to save anyone else, he first needs to save himself. It’s a great message.

OVERALL: 5/5 stars

In conclusion, this is an amazing album with many strong tracks. Even the weaker tracks are still enjoyable. I highly recommend buying “Division” by Ed Sheeran.

(Author’s note: I seem to give the slower songs lower ratings. The slower songs are just as good though… I guess it’s because his uplifting songs make me happier.)