Lily Holbrook

Ed Sheeran’s debut album ‘+’ was released in 2011 and, 10 years on, there’s something nostalgic about the fourth record in his series of musical equations.

While isolating for Covid-19 may not have been the promotion he had planned for his first solo LP since 2017, it’s safe to say that Sheeran’s latest record is already following in the well-trodden footsteps of its chart-topping predecessors. Amassing more than 1 billion streams just days after its release, the record is on a roll – and it’s showing no sign of stopping.

Admitting himself that this latest offering is his proudest piece of work to date, it’s clear that ‘=’ reflects a time of growth for the Suffolk-born singer-songwriter. As if it couldn’t have been put any more explicitly, the opening lines of the album’s first track, “Tides”, confirm without doubt that this is a coming-of-age record: “Everything has changed but I am still the same somehow”. While juggling family life with professional responsibilities was never going to be easy for a star as big as Sheeran, the singer’s unwavering commitment to keeping his family out of the spotlight demonstrates an admirable ability to navigate a very tricky equation: the balance between work and life.

Cleverly formulaic in their appeal, it’s hard to think of an Ed Sheeran song that hasn’t hit it off with the masses. Pairing catchy hooks with slower ballads, he well and truly has a song for everyone. But through the epic highs and crashing lows on his journey from boy to man, it’s evident now that Sheeran has finally reached a point of maturity. Documenting intimate moments of happiness as a new husband and father, every gushing lyric confirms the magical, loved-up moments unfolding far away from social media.

Returning to “Tides”, the record’s first track feels like the starting point for the movie of Ed Sheeran’s life so far. In many ways, that’s exactly what it is. While visually compelling, the striking butterfly graphic against a red background is a far cry from the hand-drawn art of “Loose Change” – perhaps a little too prescribed in its desire to make everything image-perfect.  

Sheeran’s ability to tap into what his fans want is precisely what has led to such widespread appeal for the singer-songwriter.

Untainted by mainstream success, ‘+’ has long been my favourite Ed Sheeran album. But as he grew into a singer for the world stage, it was always going to be the case that we’d lose some of the raw authenticity that characterised the endearing redheaded busker playing the streets of London.

Despite my initial feeling that first single “Bad Habits” was made specifically for chart success, my faith in the old Sheeran was restored with the track “First Times”, a nod to the work that first made me fall in love with his music a decade ago. Fuelled by those early songs that ignited a sparkling career in music, even “Bad Habits” and “Shivers” have started to feel like timeless Ed Sheeran classics.

Whatever you think of his previous discography, Sheeran’s talent is undeniable. And that extends beyond the music, to the marketing too. Sheeran’s ability to tap into what his fans want is precisely what has led to such widespread appeal for the ordinary schoolboy turned extraordinary singer-songwriter.

Stripping it back only to the things that matter, Sheeran’s final message is simple: there’s no better time to appreciate the things that make your life equate to what it is right now.

Despite every effort to keep his family and professional life separate, Sheeran is far from immune to the pressures of life in the public eye. A reference to the rap influence that runs through so much of his music, the “New Man” (from 2017’s “÷”) inspired “2Step” reminds us that things are not always as rosy as they seem: “Keep the pressure on, you’re bound to break / Something’s got to change”. Evident across the lyrics of this song – and in fact the whole record – childhood sweetheart Cherry Seaborn has clearly been Sheeran’s saving grace through good times and bad: “I feel like I’ve got nothing left right now / Except this beauty in a dress right now.” Having found his light in the darkness, Sheeran is certain that whatever life brings, things will be OK as long as they’re in it together.

Finishing off the record, “Be Right Now” perfectly sums up the joy of finding happiness in the present moment: “Nothing else matters / Stay here and be right now.” Stripping it back only to the things that matter, Sheeran’s final message is simple: there’s no better time to appreciate the things that make your life equate to what it is right now. Not a plus, minus or divide in sight.

If you fancy a listen, you can stream Sheeran’s huge number one album on Spotify here.

Featured image courtesy of David Clode on Unsplash. Image license found here. No changes were made to this image.

Lily is passionate about combining her environmental values with her love of music, the natural world and culture.

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