Ed Sheeran “Divide” Track by Track Album Review

Am I crying? I’m crying. Ed Sheeran has once again resurrected my eardrums and touched emotions I didn’t even know existed in my black, cold heart. In his new album, released March 3, 2017, Sheeran combines folk, acoustic guitar and a plethora of other styles to create a fairly unique creation.

Ed Sheeran has been one of my favorite artists for years and he’s yet to release a disappointing album. I’m certainly not disappointed with this, I’m over the moon. Though somewhat overwhelmed with sappy love ballads, this album has something for everyone. Here it is, my Ed Sheeran “Divide” Track by Track Album Review.

1. Eraser – 7/10

I wanted to love this, I really did, but I don’t. The song is very heavy on rap and while I do value Ed Sheeran’s rapping ability (You Need Me & Take It Back are wonderful) this just doesn’t stand out to me.

The chorus doesn’t have enough of a kick or a catchiness to it. While, in his signature fashion, the lyrics are strong, clever and powerful, I don’t find myself getting into it. I feel like this song would be mindlessly played behind a sparring match or kickboxing class.

Favorite Lyric: “And ain’t nobody wanna see you down in the dumps /
Because you’re living your dream, man, this shit should be fun”

2. Castle on the Hill  – 9/10

This is one of the album’s singles and it’s no wonder this quickly topped the charts. This song is everything a beautiful, happy summer road trip song ought to be. I feel nostalgia for experiences I’ve never had when I hear this song. Man, even the music video makes me miss summers when I was a kid and the experiences of growing up.

This song is unique and has a relatability and genuineness often loss in radio hit singles. Beautifully done and definitely a standout on the album.

Favorite Lyric: “I still remember these old country lanes /
When we did not know the answers”

3. Dive – 5/10

The somewhat jazzy, powerful aspects of this just scream Alicia Keys. To be honest, I think it’d be better suited for her than Ed. This song that reminds me of Shawn Mendes’ “Ruin,” which I didn’t love either.

It’s okay. There’s nothing particularly special about it. You can’t sing to this, jam to this or cry to this. This is a great song for drinking a beer, alone, in a dark bar while wallowing in sorrows about your estranged wife and mistress.

Favorite Lyric: “So let me know the truth /
Before I dive right into you”

4. Shape of  You – 8/10

This song is catchy as hell and I love blasting this song during cardio workouts. I will say, however, that it is not lyrically strong. The biggest critique I have for this song is that you can tell it’s a single written to be played on the radio. Then again, great jams do not necessarily need great lyrics.

The beat to this song is infectious and you can’t help but shake your hips and bop to this song. This is certainly a dance song that’ll continue to be circulated on the radio.

Favorite Lyric: “We talk for hours and hours about the sweet and the sour /
And how your family is doing okay”

5. Perfect – 6/10

This is a song best listened to at high school prom while you lean your head on the chest of the heartthrob you “love” at the moment. It’s got an old-school, jukebox sort of feel and sounds like it’s being played through a record player.

While I do enjoy this track, it’s not necessarily my favorite on the album. It’s sappy, it’s sweet and it’s slow. It’s everything you’d want in a slow dance song but aside from that purpose, I can’t see myself playing this for the sake of listening. Its purpose is playing in the background for slow dances and I think I’ll keep it for just that.

Honestly, if you’re not going to bust out a tux and slow dance with me, don’t play this song in my presence. Actually, if you’re going to bring me to a candelit picnic you can play this, too.

Favorite Lyric: “When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath
/ But you heard it, darling, you look perfect tonight”

6. Galway Girl – 10/10

I am so here for this. This song is catchy, upbeat and has clear folk and Irish influences. I both want to dab and do an Irish jig while listening to this song.

Seriously, within the first ten seconds, the song has got you absolutely hooked. The way he mixes folk and some hip hop/rap elements is incredibly impressive, unique and just so Ed Sheeran.

It’s risky and it’s incredibly unique. The risk certainly paid off and this is another standout track on “Divide.”

Favorite Lyric: “I swear I’m gonna put you in a song that I write /
About a Galway girl and a perfect night”

7. Happier – 10/10

This song sounds like it’d be playing in the background of an episode of Grey’s Anatomy while someone forgets to push one of epi and a little boy dies. It makes me want to dropkick anyone who’s ever broken Ed Sheeran’s precious little heart.

The end when the instruments drop out absolutely destroy me because his voice is so delicate and emotion-filled. The way he’s reflecting on a past love is incredibly mature and unlike most post-breakup tracks.

I can sum this up with a comment on the video for this song:

I agree, Belen, I agree. This is among the strongest tracks on the album and it is most definitely one of my favorites.

Favorite Lyric: “But if he breaks your heart like lovers do /
Just know that I’ll be waiting here for you”

8. New Man – 9/10

As soon as this came on I started dancing. This song is so funny because you know the type of guy he’s talking out. He gets incredibly relevant with references of creeping on Instagram and even Kylie and Kim. The song has you hanging on to every lyric and nodding your head.

This is a great breakup song and a great song for just bopping around. It’s funny, catchy and about that douche who everyone knows. This ought to be a millennial anthem for us to wave our middle finger emojis to.

Favorite Lyric: “He wears sunglasses indoors, in winter, at nighttime /
And every time a rap song comes on, he makes a gang sign” 

9. Hearts Don’t Break Around Here – 6/10

This track is like a slice of vanilla cake made from the box mix. It’s nice, but it’s nothing particularly special and it’s sort of generic. It’s nothing that only Ed Sheeran could’ve created. It lacks the unique, lustrous appeal of his music but it is a well-crafted, calm ballad. When compared to some other romantic ballads on the album, this track just slips through the cracks.

Favorite Lyric: “She is the river flowing nowhere /
And tin wind chimes used for doorbells”

10. What Do I Know – 6/10

I’m getting serious John Mayer and Jack Johnson vibes in this track. Again, while this track isn’t particularly bad, I don’t love it. The message is nice and positive because it’s about love and music being able to change the world.

Ed Sheeran’s falsetto is overlayed with his usual singing voice and this double-Ed is not working for me on this track. Frankly, I found myself bored with this song and somewhat unimpressed.

Favorite Lyric: “You know we are made up of love and hate /
But both of them are balanced on a razor blade”

11. How Would You Feel (Paen) – 4/10

Another sappy ass love ballad? Ed, I love you and I love your ballads but I’m getting a little bit bored. Ed Sheeran knows how to write a love song, but this song has once again, given me that plain vanilla cake vibe.

The chorus puts me to sleep and the rest of the song is just my lullaby. For me, this might be one of the biggest disappointments on the album.

Favorite Lyric: “I’m feeling younger /
Every time that I’m alone with you”

12. Supermarket Flowers – 9/10

Am I getting sucked into heaven or am I listening to Ed Sheeran’s new album? I can’t tell. My eyes were welling up five seconds in. Okay, then after one minute a single tear slid down my cheek. Not really, but it felt that way. The pre-choruses in this song are what truly got to me and touched my heart.

I want to learn how to do ballet just to dance to this freaking song. This song tugs at my heartstrings to the point of breaking them. This song is incredible and my only critique is that it’s not longer. I could listen to this track all day. Play this at my funeral, please.

Favorite Lyric: “I hope that I see the world as you did cause I know /
A life with love is a life that’s been lived” 

DELUXE TRACKS:

13. Barcelona – 5/10

Another upbeat track not quite upbeat enough to dance to. It’s more of a slight sway, maybe a dab if you’re drunk. The vocals overpower the minimal instruments in the background. The beat is primarily composed of Ed Sheeran’s gasps and beatboxes. Once again, there’s a very tropical, island feel in the chorus. He even throws in plenty of Spanish lyrics and this Spanish flair isn’t doing it for me.

It’s not very typical of Ed Sheeran and it’s definitely not my favorite.

Favorite Lyric: “I fell in love with the sparkle in the moonlight /
Reflected in your beautiful eyes, I guess that is destiny doing it right”

14. Bibia Be Ye Ye – 7/10

I feel automatically transported to a bar in an island somewhere. The title is definitely strange and offbeat but it has a nice meaning: “All will be well” in Twi, a language from Ghana.

Honestly, my first thought was that this sounds like it should be in the soundtrack for Moana. Moana is a great movie with a wonderful soundtrack, so this would fit in nicely. It’s not typically Ed Sheeran, but not necessarily in a bad way. The upbeat vibes and island feel make this a great summer jam and I’d definitely play this while sipping on margaritas somewhere.

Favorite Lyric: “And I am only being honest with you / I
I get lonely and make mistakes from time to time”

15. Nancy Mulligan – 8/10

Once again there’s a heavy Irish folk element to this track. The fiddle and “Hey!”s in the background make this sound incredibly wholesome and folk. I feel like I’m coming home to Ireland (I’m not even from Ireland) and attending a huge bonfire with the whole squad and Uncle O’Grady is busting out ye olde fiddle.

This song is incredibly happy and it makes me want to square dance and pour out a mug of beer. It’s a love song but it’s executed in such a unique, fast-paced way. It’s very old school Irish folk music and yet it works.

Favorite Lyric: “I never worried about the king and crown /
Cause I found my heart upon the southern ground”

16. Save Myself – 9/10

Once again, three seconds in and I’m ready to cry. This is yet another ballad that gives me goosebumps. This song is incredibly important and focuses on finally putting himself above others and acknowledging that he has to help himself before helping others.

Though the ballad seems a bit cliche, the message is fairly unique and very thoughtful. This is the kind of song anyone needs to hear during a meltdown.

This does not belong as a bonus track and I’m very disappointed it did not replace one of many sappy, love ballads and make it on the main album.

Favorite Lyric: “I’m not like my mum /
‘Cause she’d just smile and I’m complaining in a song”

FINAL THOUGHTS

This album is a beautiful blend of relaxing, beautiful ballads and upbeat jams. I loved this album although I could do with less cliche love ballads. Ed Sheeran always brings something unique to the table and this album is no exception.

P.S. If you enjoyed this Ed Sheeran “Divide” Track by Track Review, check out my reviews of Shawn Mendes’ Handwritten (Deluxe) or One Direction’s Made in the A.M. or Melanie Martinez’s Crybaby.

What was your favorite track on the album?