Ed Sheeran’s new music is sure to play when you turn on the radio this fall. With =, the musician continues his pop streak, without defying the rules, offering some very successful songs in passing.
Sheeran’s writing is increasingly literal. Poetics The A Team of (2011), he comes to Tides (opening piece of this new record), much less pictorial, for better or for worse. Emphasizing the productions that coat his words, the Briton has somewhat diluted his offer on the text side.
Ed Sheeran speaks of this album as the best work he has ever released. We allow ourselves to disagree.
We loved the poetry and modesty of the musician who once dragged his acoustic guitar over huge amphitheater stages. But it is clear that Ed Sheeran does very well when he launches into catchy compositions that one struggles to get out of the head. The productions are enjoyable, for the most part they bring that satisfaction that good pop music provokes.
The R & B influence is still present. This time it also adopts tones inspired by the 1980s. The second part of the album (Visiting Hours, Love In Slow Motion, Sandman), more refined, brings a pleasant balance.
The real question now, the one that really matters: after +, –, ÷ and now =, which mathematical symbol will Ed Sheeran use? As long as it manages to offer a sound that will not make it stagnate, we will be listening.
Pop
=
Ed sheeran
Warner Music / Atlantic