More about: Ed Sheeran

With 4 Grammys, 4 Brits and more than 150 million records sold worldwide, Ed Sheeran shows no signs of stopping as he returns with his fourth solo studio album Equals or rather, simply, =. The new album documents his journey into marriage and fatherhood whilst adapting to different genres and styles, showcasing that he hasn't lost his ability to bend the rules and ignore the critics.

'Tides' is the opening track on the album, its boundless energy setting the scene as Ed informs fans and listeners alike that: “Everything has changed, but I am still the same somehow”. 'Tides' is a stadium anthem ready for Wembley with its foot-stomping verses and honest lyrics. 

Single 'Shivers' is driven by uncomplicated bass lines that build into the ideal cocktail-drinking, 2am crowd-pleaser, but is knocked off the top spot by ‘Bad Habits'. ‘First Times’ slows down the tempo as we learn about Ed’s engagement: it's a ballad made for slow dancing in the kitchen to and falling in love all over again. 

Similarly, 'Love In Slow Motion' is a romantic ballad sure to remind fans of the journey over the last ten years. It's one of the biggest highlights on =, the slow strums of an acoustic guitar and the reassuring sound of a voice we've come to know and love detailing the ups and downs of a relationship. 

Despite familiarities with his debut, tracks such as ‘Stop The Rain’ shows Sheeran’s progression as the song is submerged in Latin American influence whilst being paired with a modern synth soundscape, as well as this ‘Collide’ and ‘2step’ experiment with Ed’s fondness for urban soundscapes and RnB. 

The 14 track album comes to a close with ‘Be Right Now’, Sheeran’s soft tones wash over the song ensuring a sense of safety when closing what is undoubtedly one of the most hotly anticipated returns to music. Love him or hate him Ed Sheeran is the undefeated champion of perfectly pristine pop that soundtracks romance from all over the world. 

= is out now.

More about: Ed Sheeran