Cooper Miller
Contributing Writer
Ed Sheeran’s new album, “Play,” is a return to the classic pop aesthetic that got millions hooked on his music in the first place.
Released through record companies, “Gingerbread Man Records” and “Atlantic Records,” this album debuted right after his “Mathmatics” tour, and marks the beginning of a new chapter for Sheeran, and what many believe to be a fresh, but too original era of typical musical genius.
The choice of “Play” for the first title in the five-album plan he has in mind is very significant. It’s his way of saying to his fans that he is “restarting” and hitting play on what he believes to have been his prime, and returning to the sound that made him a global superstar in the first place.
With future album titles like “Rewind” and “Fast-Forward,” Sheeran is trying to paint a journey through his past, present, and future, with “Play” just being the starting point.
This five-album series is just the start of a long-term artistic vision that goes beyond a single release and creates a narrative of Sheeran’s evolving mind, and how it affected his music over the years.
The album’s bright, Swift-esque exterior, seen with its Barbie-pink cover, could lead someone to believe that this album will 100% be a purely upbeat experience. However, Sheeran, being the absolute epitome of creative prowess that he has proven himself to be time and time again, had made the clever choice by undermining expectations and hitting us with real, raw emotion.
Songs like “Old Phone” reveal surprisingly deep, introspective flashes, and though it’s no mystery that the synth-driven beats and catchy melodies are most definitely “pop,” they often act as a vehicle for lyrics that are surprisingly mournful and lathered with nostalgia.
This contrast of songs in this album creates a feeling of bitter sweetness—the polarity of the two vibes making you want to dance, while words pull at the heartstrings, sparking a sense of melancholy and longing for a simpler time while embracing whats to come. Sheeran masterfully uses this tension to evoke a complex emotional response in the listener.
Sheeran’s nostalgia comes at a cost, though, when bad memories begin to surface alongside the good, reminding him of old friends who he calls, “leeches” and issues within his family that make him feel like he’s less than the man he used to be. By doing this, Sheeran cleverly reminds us that he’s not just a multi-billionaire, but a regular person with feelings, just like you and me.
For those who listen to his music for the upbeat, heartthrob vibes seen within the majority of his work, don’t worry because “A Little More,” “Camera,” and “The Vow” will most definitely fill that Ed Sheeran-sized hole in your heart.
Though Sheeran isn’t doing anything super new with this album, or trying to reinvent his formula in an attempt to appeal to a broader audience, he is still holding strong with reviews across the board being relatively positive, according to Metacritic. Fans are also in agreement, with favorites being “Old Phone,” “A Little More,” and “In Other Words.”
Sheeran recorded most of these songs in India, and the South-Asian influence can certainly be heard in “Azizam” and “Sapphire.”
While this album plays it safe, it’s not to the point where it’s boring, and it’s just experimental enough to not be jarring. So, next time you hang out with your friends, go ahead and throw it on.