Ed Sheeran returns today with his new major studio album – = (Equals), the first in a string of major new albums, with Taylor Swift’s Red – Taylor’s Version and Adele’s new album ’30’ coming next month. Here, we review the hotly-anticipated record available everywhere today here.Â
‘I have grown up / I am a father now / Everything has changed / But I am still the same somehow.’ These are the lines that open Ed Sheeran’s new record ‘=’ on ‘Tides,’ demonstrating from the outset that this will be one of Sheeran’s most personal records to dates, charting his new role as a father and husband, digging into the difficulties of balancing these roles with that of global superstar. = is no doubt one of the most anticipated records of the year. After the first two singles, ‘Bad Habits’ and ‘Shivers’ rocketed to number one this summer, it was clear that Sheeran’s fanbase was stronger than ever, exhibiting his ability yet again to deliver a major propulsive pop hit. The record is polished, commercially-appealing yet surprisingly vulnerable and experimental, both lyrically and sonically.
‘Tides’ that opens the record shows that ‘life is changing.’ It’s a mammoth opener that transitions straight into the second single from the record ‘Shivers.’ It’s a slick and memorably upbeat track charting the opening stages of his relationship with his wife Cherry Seaborn. ‘I took an arrow to the heart / I never kissed a mouth that tastes like yours / Strawberries and somethin’ more.’ Though ‘Shivers’ has an easy swagger to the track, this is stripped back for following track ‘First Times’ a sweet and romantic ballad to his wife, complete with the story of his proposal. ‘The greatest thing that I have achieved / Was four little words, down on one knee / You said, “Darling, are you jokin’?”, and I just said, “Please”‘ It’s a deeply emotive and tender track and is where Sheeran has always been at his best – his ability to move between huge anthemic tracks made for stadium shows to vulnerable and heartfelt ballads and has the feel of earlier hits like ‘Thinking Out Loud.’ The standout ballad on = is no doubt, ‘The Joker and the Queen’ – a beautiful song showing his wonder that his wife chose him. ‘And I know you could fall for a thousand kings / And hearts that would give you a diamond ring / When I fold, you see the best in me / The joker and the queen.’ Backed by a swelling, deliciously emotive strings section, it’s one that will no doubt will be a wedding staple for 2022.
Moving next into ‘Bad Habits’ demonstrates just that, a slick, thrumming pop hook of a track that has formed a part of the summer soundtrack for 2021, with no signs of letting up in its appeal. ‘Overpass Graffiti’ is another slick synth-pop infused anthem, as Sheeran sings of enduring love. ‘I will always love you for what it’s worth / We’ll never fade like graffiti on the overpass / And I know time may change the way you think of us / But I’ll remember the way we were.’ There are tinges of 80s disco production on the track that make this an easy-standout track and a potential future single, showing his ability to continue to evolve since the early days of ‘+’ – unafraid to infuse new ideas into his signature sound. These ideas are continued and fused into ‘Collide’ a gently thrumming track about bringing a life together. ‘We made love in the sky / Overslept and missed the Northern Lights / You lost your wedding ring, but I didn’t mind / ‘Cause I got a feeling, baby, we’ll be fine.’ ‘2 step‘  brings back his signature singer-songwriter rap, ratcheted up a pace as he sings about finding his safe space with his wife. ‘Two-steppin’ with the woman I love / All my troubles turn to nothing when I’m in your eyes, electrified.’ It offers nods to his critics and the pace of the music industry, showing the darker underbelly of fame. That’s also shown on ‘Love in Slow Motion’ and ‘Leave Your Life,’ where Sheeran muses on the hardship of leaving his family for extended periods of time to go on tour. ‘You’ll never know the weight of my / Decisions when I leave your smiling face.’ It’s frank and honest and demonstrates Sheeran’s ability to deliver a hit even from a deeper album cut. ‘Stop the Rain’ is another thrumming, RnB infused showcase of that fact – his ability to continually evolve his sound yet further – with an almost Justin Timberlake edge.
The final few tracks are the most eclectic on the record – from the stunning tribute to his friend and mentor Michael Gudinski (‘Visiting Hours’) to the lullaby for his daughter (‘Sandman’) to the final disco-edged track ‘Be Right Now.’ These three as tracks show the pervasive power of Sheeran, who is as likeable for his humble down to earth nature as his stunningly honest lyrics. For fans of Sheeran, = will be the ultimate treat, a delicious summation of all the best of what has come before, but concisely delivered in self-assured and polished melodies.
