X (Multiply) is a solid follow-up to Sheeran’s debut, + (Plus), retaining much of the songwriter’s signature vibe while only fleetingly sounding like a retread. The lead single, “Sing,” is the most familiar—the track is essentially “You Need Me, I Don’t Need You” Part 2, even duplicating the melodic/rhymatic structure at points (compare “sobering up we just sit on the couch, one thing led to another now she’s kissing my mouth” to “I haven’t got a house plus I live on a couch, so you can be the lyrics when I’m singing them out”). But the self-homage feels clever rather than lazy.
It’s not always easy to identify what Sheeran is singing about, but his lyrics are occasionally powerful (I especially like “put your faith in my stomach,” from “I’m A Mess”). The songwriter's greatest strengths are his melodies and his fantastic instrument, a dexterious voice that sounds natural rapping on “Take it Back” (“I’m not a rapper, I’m a singer with a flow”), crooning in beautiful falsetto on “One,” or belting out twisty, tricky runs on “I’m A Mess.”
The songs on Multiply are all radiofriendly (that sexy, threatening hook on “Don’t”!), but nothing here screams #1 Billboard smash or Grammy Song of the Year. Which is fine—few artists will ever achieve that type of success. But Sheeran is capable; indeed, he’s already been nominated for Song of the Year once, for “The A Team” in 2013. The album has its fair share of serious ballads, but Sheeran feels less invested this time around. “Photograph” and “Bloodstream” are delivered in remorseful tones, but they come off sleepy rather than emotional. Those looking for another “A Team,” “Small Bump” or “Lego House” may be disappointed. “One,” the romantic opening track, and the end-run beginning with heavily-rapped “The Man,” are probably the most heartfelt of the new set. Overall, it’s a very good album, certainly among the best in the pop realm this year. But fair or not, Sheeran must be judged in relation to not only his competition, but himself.
Rating: ✭✭✭✭ (A-)
Best songs: One, I’m A Mess, Don’t, The Man, Thinking Out Loud, Afire Love.
It’s not always easy to identify what Sheeran is singing about, but his lyrics are occasionally powerful (I especially like “put your faith in my stomach,” from “I’m A Mess”). The songwriter's greatest strengths are his melodies and his fantastic instrument, a dexterious voice that sounds natural rapping on “Take it Back” (“I’m not a rapper, I’m a singer with a flow”), crooning in beautiful falsetto on “One,” or belting out twisty, tricky runs on “I’m A Mess.”
The songs on Multiply are all radiofriendly (that sexy, threatening hook on “Don’t”!), but nothing here screams #1 Billboard smash or Grammy Song of the Year. Which is fine—few artists will ever achieve that type of success. But Sheeran is capable; indeed, he’s already been nominated for Song of the Year once, for “The A Team” in 2013. The album has its fair share of serious ballads, but Sheeran feels less invested this time around. “Photograph” and “Bloodstream” are delivered in remorseful tones, but they come off sleepy rather than emotional. Those looking for another “A Team,” “Small Bump” or “Lego House” may be disappointed. “One,” the romantic opening track, and the end-run beginning with heavily-rapped “The Man,” are probably the most heartfelt of the new set. Overall, it’s a very good album, certainly among the best in the pop realm this year. But fair or not, Sheeran must be judged in relation to not only his competition, but himself.
Rating: ✭✭✭✭ (A-)
Best songs: One, I’m A Mess, Don’t, The Man, Thinking Out Loud, Afire Love.
No comments:
Post a Comment