I can understand how fans can miss the raw sounding to ed's +, but just because these songs are a bit more pop doesn't mean the lyrics aren't to heart or that his writing has gotten any worst. This album is incredible, insane. He really does show his variety to genres across the tracks:
1. Eraser - an awesome opener, very real, personal song but it's upbeat and awesome to hear him mix genres on this track
2. Castle on the hill - such a good choice to make a lead single, a typical comeback song I guess, it's everything we expected from ed only better, this will be a classic in years
3. Dive - the 4th single of the album, I believe the only reason it didn't chart as high as it could have is because it was promoted as the album was. Awesome chorus in this song, ed proves how amazing his voice is when he hits great notes plus an amazing guitar solo
4. Shape of you - on the aria charts, shape of you was number one for 15 weeks, longest no 1 song of all time beating fernando by ABBA. Personally, it is my favourite single in the album, there's nothing different about the song from the common 2017 hit song, it's just really really unbelievable how catchy and great it is to dance too even if it's the 1000th time you've heard it... literally. This is much more then anyone expected from the A team laid back songwriter.
5. Perfect - the song is perfect, it has not been promoted yet but it better be, it is for sure the next thinking out loud. Such beautiful songwriting a song that hits you with its power every listen.
6. Galway Girl - the 5th single off the album, ed plays with a genre he never has with before, and Irish folk hip hop pop that is the singalong of the album. Very cool to see him progress from something like you need me I don't need you to this magic.
7. Happier - again, I really hope this is a future single, it has such potential. The ultimate breakup/moving on song, an epic build up to an even better chorus
8. New man - the perfect carry on from happier, new man is the rap on the album, where ed constantly destroys his ex's new bf reputation in such a cool quickly way. Awesome play with beats in this song as well
9. Hearts don't break around here - a classic ed sheeran song, similar to perfect, this song he didn't make over the top, it was just him with his awesome songwriting and is a cute triumph anthem
10. What do I know - a song that doesn't hit you on first listen, but grows on you, it will be one of your favourites at some point. Very very catchy, like shape of you but without the pop to it, awesomely written and cool idea
11. How would you feel - the 3rd single on the album, another classic ed return, and another awesome guitar solo. Hands down a beautiful booming song
12. Supermarket flowers - made me cry at 4am in the morning the first time u ever listened to it, he earns full respect through this song as he passes on his grandma. This has the potential to be a number one hit, but it is understandable if he decides to keep it just for the fans
13. Barcelona - another song that'll grow on you, very catch awesome and different. Another new genre ed is discovering, a doing very good at
14. Bibia be Ye Ye - just from the title you can tell it's going to be his most different song to date. It's most similar to Barcelona, very upbeat, just a different language and he adds his beats over the vocals which is very cool
15. Nancy mulligan - the second Galway girl, another Irish track. Should definately be a single, best singalong song and an awesome back story to it if you listen to the lyrics. I love this song no matter the mood
16. Save myself - after three upbeat dance meets pop hits, this brings it back to the seriousness as the album closes. He talks about saving himself from a growing depression, very sad but relatable for a lot of people. This really ties the album together. This album is insane. For anyone who did not rate it 5 stars think again