÷ Deluxe

Today is the day that I have been waiting on for months! The release of Ed Sheeran's latest work - DIVIDE! This is the third in a line of incredible musical releases that follow the naming pattern that he started with his first solo release - PLUS (+) and then the sophomore album of MULTIPLY (X). I once again purchased this on vinyl and get the digital download!If you buy the vinyl please be aware that he spins this 12" vinyl at 45 RPM (same as with (X)). As you know most 12" vinyl is normally 33 1/3 RPM but to increase the fidelity of the music it is pressed on 180 g vinyl and at a higher turn rate you get a more accurate sound reproduction from your turn-table. I know you cannot match the digital fidelity of CD with vinyl but Ed's voice is made for playing on an old fashion record. It just brings out the rich soulfulness of his vocals. This review is based on the vinyl copy and the digital download from Amazon. If you order this on vinyl MAKE SURE YOU CAN PLAY 12" LPs @ 45 RPMs!We all got a taste of this album with the early release of a couple of songs that made their way to the top of the radio playlist. "Shape of You" let us know that Ed was following in the path of his previously release music with a familiar sound and artistry that we have come to know and love. The backing tracks of an upbeat soulful up tempo song that paints the images in your head of the girl that physically pushes all the right buttons. There is no denying his style of writing and where you go when you listen.My review of the songs on the album:Eraser starts off the collection of songs with some Sheeran style rap and gets you ready for what is about to come. Next he goes into a ballad with Castle on the Hill and lulls you into that soft safe space that he can easily create with his vocals and then speeds things up with a snare laden song called Dive – you almost feel like the person in his studio apartment just listening to the magic being created.Now you head further down the path with Shape of You and you know why you love him. You cannot help but sway while you listen and you see/feel/smell what he is singing to you. It has a subtle eroticism and full of confidence, you know where someone looks at you and you know what will happen next.Five songs in and there it is. Perfect – both the song and placement on the album. Soulful and sounds like it could be sung on a small stage somewhere in a bar that smells of stale beer and old perfume. Dimly lit on a stage with only a single spotlight but then opens up to a more angelic hook but still reminds you are at an old hotel out by the airport. Nicely done with some Nashville flair. From there to what seems to be old Ireland with the flute, fiddle, and a rap mashup that strangely works with Galway Girl. Next the spotlight return to Ed and his guitar doing what he does best and he sings Happier about someone who he hurt but still loves deeply and you feel it in your gut.New Man has a familiar beat telling the story of a man he lost a girl to and reminisces of a better time. The hook makes you want to move your body. The reference to the Kardashians made me chuckle! It is a song about keeping up with…More of his life in song follows with Hearts Don’t Break Around Here & What Do I Know? And How Would I Feel – Making the world a better place through song! The latter is an awesome ballad that also gives you a warm loving feeling between two people and give you a joyous hope of forever. This is for you and that special one when the relationship is new and you want to spend the rest of your life with them and you want them to feel the same way. Great electric guitar solo! No sooner that you believe in love forever.I wasn’t ready for Supermarket Flowers. I had to stop and close my eyes. I’m glad I was alone the first time I heard this because it is something special and to anyone who has lost their Mum understand. I always said my Mother was an Angel on earth – Halleluiah.Be ready to dance to Barcelona! Bibia Be Ye Ye makes you want to party in Africa! You can see the colorful dancers if you just let yourself go there. Get up and move around and don’t care if anyone is watching while you dance!As we make it towards the finish line you get the Irish feeling again during the song Nancy Mulligan. Fiddle going and Irish dancing in my head and he paints a picture of Nancy and how the story of the courtship goes! You know it has a happy ending! For an ending like no other – Save Myself. Another story told by Sheeran like no one else can. It reminds you who is the most important person in life and if you don’t take care of yourself then who will?The 2 LP vinyl is packed with 16 songs. All of which tell you a different story. After a quick listen to the tracks and hearing what he brings to the table with this 3rd work of art you will quickly understand why he is still at the top of his game. Today (release date) I will be listening to this collection of songs and will give you my opinion of who I believe is one of the most talented artist of this decade. In addition I will photograph the vinyl collection in detail and will post what you will receive if you have (or will purchase) this on the 2 LP set. The details are incredible along with the art and liner pictures - which is another reason to enjoy music on vinyl records.

It's not always easy to follow up an album with such HUGE success as Ed's "X" was. So I must say I was pleasantly surprised to receive and listen to my copy of "Divide" and realize just how strong of an album it is. In my opinion I believe it is his best album yet - and that's saying A LOT! The one thing I love about Divide is Ed manages to provide EVERY type of music he makes into his albums - be it pop, rap, up-tempo, very slow ballad, Irish folk, etc. His "sound" is so many different sounds.Eraser and Shape of you everyone has already heard by now I'm sure. But there are so many other great gems you will have the pleasure of experiencing....one of my favorites is Dive, a slower melodic song with a great guitar rhythm and strong vocals. But maybe I'm just a sucker for heart tugging songs, because Supermarket Flowers, a song about his Mum(grandmother) will possibly bring tears to your eyes. It is a great example of an album with a lot of maturity and continues Ed's willingness to open his heart and soul to his fans.But don't fear, there are plenty upbeat and humorous additions including some Irish influenced tunes like Nancy Mulligan and Galway girl (starts Irish, flows to rap, back to Irish , etc - like only Ed could do).If you like Ed you will love this album. Period. If your new to Ed this is probably the best album to introduce you to a songwriting/singing genius.

There are many good songs on this album, and it's one of Sheeran's best (certainly my favorite out of the math series). Lots of good, catchy songs, and some that have meaning that will affect your soul.Certainly make sure to listen to all the tracks if you get this. There are some that never got a lot of radio play that will site with a person for a long time.

Ed Sheeran has always known how to make me smile. His songwriting has never left me disappointed. This English showman has always been able to enrapture all those that listen to his music with just him and his guitar, and a peddle machine.Divide debuted at #1 and stayed there in its second week.Eraser: A fun opening track to the album; a declaration of intent mixing hip-hop with a chorus.It discusses Sheeran’s upbringing and his small town beginnings singing in the choir in the Catholic church and then being a busker during his teen years. It also references the temptations artist’s face whether it be drugs, girls, etc.Castle On The Hill: A love song for Sheeran’s hometown of Suffolk, England. Guitar driven it is a “life affirming pop rocket.”Dive: Written about his wife with themes of vulnerability, a sense of devotion and emotional reflection, with a musicality that emulates the classic fifties and early sixties soul/stax ballad arpeggio and time sequence. It was co-written with Julia Michaels.Shape of You: Originally written by Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes of TLC and meant for pop singer Rihanna, the track is about a strong physical attraction. Musically, it is based around a tropical-house inspired lead melody and dancehall beat. A rhythm is given by xylophones, guitars, and percussion.Perfect: A love ballad written and inspired by the love between him and his wife Cherry Seaborn. It was written remininscent of Sheeran’s song he wrote for One Direction, “18.”Galway Girl: My favorite song on the record for its fun Irish folk musicality. Musically influenced by Van Morrison’s Irish Heartbeat, A “Galway Girl” describes a black haired and blue eyed woman from the city of Galway.Happier: A standout ballad with mature lyrics about a failed relationship who has already found a new man.New Man: A fun fast-flowing song about an ex who has changed because of him and these toxic changes have led to her looking for satisfaction elsewhere.Hearts Don’t Break Around Here: A ballad for his wife Cherry Seaborn, showing Sheeran’s softer side.What Do I Know?: Despite not having the education or being the smartest, he uses his music to change the world.How Would You Feel: A paen is a work that praises or honors its subject and also the middle name of his now wife Cherry Seaborn. A really emotional song about realizing how much you love someone.Supermarket Flowers: A tribute to Sheeran’s late grandmother, comparing her to an angel.Barcelona: Ode to the great Spanish city’s vibrant history and culture contain Latin musicality and Spanish guitars.Bibia Be Ye Ye: A song written in Ghanian dialect meaning “everything will be alright.”Nancy Mulligan: Full on Irish traditional song that pays tribute to Sheeran’s paternal grandparents, Anne “Nancy” Mulligan and William “Bill” Sheeran. His grandparents had a Romeo and Juliet romance.Save Myself: A final song speaking to the importance of self-care and self-love. A soft song with a strong piano musicality.Sheeran’s third album seeks to showcase him exploring both sides of himself, the musician side and the human side but seeks to bond the world with it’s wholesome themes of spreading love and recklessly falling in love with yourself and when the time comes, someone who accepts the entire you that you are and will be.