Although Ed Sheeran’s new album adheres to his pattern of naming albums by arithmetic symbols like “Plus” and “Multiply,” “Divide” strays from the typical Sheeran mold.
The instigator behind Sheeran’s new album could be attributed to his decision to break away from social media in 2015. Following the end of his “Multiply” tour, Sheeran announced his plan for a social media hiatus. Despite his explanation that he found himself “seeing the world through a screen” and planned to “travel the world and see everything I missed,” Sheeran promised that his third album was on its way. Among other adventures, Sheeran spent some time in Ghana with artist and producer Fuse ODG. This period of travel lowered Sheeran’s anxiety — one of the benefits Sheeran says comes with not having a phone, according to his BBC interview. His lowered anxiety seems to have generated a more versatile album that drives home Sheeran’s overall message of the importance of true self-understanding and forgiveness.
Overall, Sheeran’s songs are sorrowful, but what makes “Divide” great is its exploration beyond this predictable trademark. A prime example of this novelty is “Bibia Be Ye Ye,” Twi for “All Will Be Well.” Twi is a Ghanaian dialect that Sheeran was inspired to use while he was in Ghana in 2016, and its inclusion on the album is manifested as an upbeat and overall delightful tune about accepting one’s mistakes.
Another cultural exploration in “Divide” comes with Sheeran’s inclusion of “Nancy Mulligan,” a song strongly rooted in the traditional Irish style. Almost as appealing as the fun, punchy beat of “Nancy Mulligan” is its inspiration: Sheeran’s own grandparents. In this ode to their love story, Sheeran recounts their Romeo and Juliet-esque relationship, which was illicit as a result of their religious differences. Luckily, as recounted by Sheeran’s song, from the perspective of his grandfather, “The moment that I saw her / Nancy was my yellow rose / And we got married.”
Beyond the charm and novelty, “Divide” also displays a cooler nonchalance previously absent from Sheeran’s work. In contrast with his previous work, the new Ed Sheeran isn’t in a constant toil with romance. Instead, he keeps it real — exemplified in the song “New Man.” Full of cheeky insults, Sheeran’s “New Man” pokes fun at a past lover’s new partner who is his polar opposite. In his description of this eyebrow-plucking, tribal-tattoo-donning man, Sheeran throws lyrical jabs that are both surprising and exciting to hear.
Though it touts a much more negative tone, “Eraser” feeds this new boldness as Sheeran shows off his rapping prowess. “Welcome to the new show/I guess you know I’ve been away/ Where I’m heading who knows/ My heart will stay the same,” he declares towards the song’s conclusion.
Among all the new melodies, “Divide” also includes the distinctive, sombre themes of heartache that have become an intrinsic part of Sheeran’s persona. The album’s seventh track “Happier,” with soft, cooing and woeful sentimentality, perfectly encompasses the stereotypical Sheeran track with flying colors. “Supermarket Flowers” undoubtedly takes the cake when it comes to nostalgia. A delicate piece about the loss of Sheeran’s grandmother, “Supermarket Flowers” rivals all of Sheeran’s previous heartbreak ballads with a level of melancholy that immediately conjures feelings of loss.
Another element to Sheeran’s new image manifests itself in the music videos released for “Shape of You” and “Castle on the Hill.” Unlike the previously delicate, simplistic clips produced for songs like “Thinking Out Loud,” these new videos carry more substance and story. Directed by Jason Koenig, the video for “Shape of You” depicts an impressively hardened and motivated Sheeran training ruthlessly for what appears to be a boxing match, all the while developing an charming courtship with another fighter, actress Jennie Pegouskie. The video takes a comedic turn when the ultimate matchup faces Sheeran against a sumo wrestler, to whom he unsurprisingly loses. “Castle on the Hill” contrasts the “Shape of You” video with a sweeter, more nostalgic tune coupled with reminiscent lyrics which ultimately culminates in a sentimental video that depicts a young Sheeran adventuring with friends around his hometown in Framlingham, England. Both clips are masterfully produced and conjure tones that perfectly fit that of their respective songs; the fun, uppity beat of “Shape of You” begs for a bit of romance and light hearted comedy, while “Castle on the Hill” is perfectly woven to this memory like sequence of Sheeran’s teenage adventures.
“Divide” expounds upon the usual Sheeran brand, bringing elements of nostalgia, nonchalance, and excitement. Though his social media hiatus was a bitter break for Sheeran fans, this new album is more than enough to keep his audience enthralled and coming back for more.
