We head back to classic Ed Sheeran with "Photograph", and then into "Bloodstream" which seems to mix classic Sheeran with a coal miners feel, all set to a steady beat that reminds me of the old Genesis game "Ecco". "Nina" comes next, which is a catchy ballad about his ex Nina Nesbitt.
If you haven't heard these on your local station yet, "Sing" blends Pharrell's style with Sheeran's smoothness, while "Don't" has fun lyrics and sounds like it belongs in the movie "Holes" (this is a good thing!).
Next comes the crowd pleasing singles, "Sing" and "Don't". The album starts with "One", a classic Ed Sheeran acoustic ballad that transitions well into "I'm a Mess", which has a simple beat but the most amazing vocal runs. While Ed Sheeran does indeed have the voice of an angel, it is his impeccable choice of lyrics and melodies that truly make him stand out. It is a rare thing these days to feel emotionally connected to a song, let alone a whole album. It will leave you laughing one minute, falling in love the next, and trying not to cry the minute after that. I didn't think it could get any better than his first major studio release, +, but this CD leaves me at a loss for words. I first discovered Ed Sheeran a little over two years ago.