Ed Sheeran is a jack of many trades: Rupert Grint impersonator, master fighter of the Red-Head Apocalypse, and accomplished singer/songwriter. The British artist, who began gaining fame in 2011, has always been a national treasure. Each album has had catchy tunes, and his new album Play is no different.
The album’s opener, titled “Opening,” is a song of remembrance and hope. One thing that stood out to me in this song is the allusion to Ecclesiastes 3:1, which reads “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the Heavens.” The song’s main message during the first half is that each feeling, whether negative or positive, has a time. The second half of the song is dedicated to drawing boundaries for the sake of one’s self, as well as the people closest to you. The beat of the drum makes for a catchy song.
The second song of the album, “Sapphire,” features English, Punjabi, and Hindi vocals. The cultural fusion is addictive, not just in the words, but the instrumentation used as well. Instruments native to eastern cultures can be heard, especially the sitar, as well as percussion beats from the tabla. The album’s third song, titled “Azizam,” is composed of definitions and attributions of one’s azizam, a Persian term of endearment. The song starts with a steady guitar rhythm, before transitioning to a drum-led beat that is accompanied by repetition of the word.
“Old Phone” is the fourth track in Play. It tells the story of how he found his old phone. It opens up a world of memories. Such memories include messages from past girlfriends and dead friends. Through all of it, Sheeran notes how these relationships have left him in a state of loss, and his life now feels fragmented due to all of the people he has lost.
The fifth track, “Symmetry,” has heavy Persian and Indian influences, once again using instruments like the tabla and dhol. The use of Persian music style makes for a very vibrant song, and also highlight’s Sheeran’s heritage. Ed Sheeran is a second-generation Persian immigrant, and putting his culture in this album as a whole adds a new level of personality to his brand.
“Camera,” the sixth track, is a love song through and through. Sheeran makes note of how a picture cannot capture a beating heart, and how the mind can capture the essence of someone we love better than a picture ever can.
The album slows down with the seventh track. “In Other Words” is composed of vocals, solely accompanied by a soft piano. This song does a fantastic job of highlighting his pure voice, as it stands alone with only a piano by his side. As the song builds, some string synths join in, as well as a base guitar line. The introduction of these other instruments only amplify Sheeran’s vocals.
The eighth track, “A Little More,” has an element of “je ne sais quoi.” The closest word that could be used to describe it would be groovy. It has a steady snare beat, as well as an upbeat melody.
“Slowly,” the ninth track, is a semi-depressing song, describing that a world without Sheeran’s beloved is not one he wishes to live in. Again, this song does a great job of shining a light on Sheeran’s belting ability.
The album picks back up again in “Don’t Look Down.” It has a tempo of anticipation and a sense of urgency. The chorus is especially memorable with the riffs used. “The Vow,” the 11th track of the album, has a beat that pays homage to that of “Thinking Out Loud,” a song from the 2014 album x.
Play slows down once again with the next song, “For Always.” It is a very poetic piece, highlighting the love Sheeran feels for someone he loves. It notes the highs and lows that relationships can go through, making it a very relatable song for the general public. The album goes out with a bang. “Heaven” concludes Play, and acts as a sort of resolution. It encourages listeners to pause and reflect on their lives, because life moves so very quickly.
Sheeran’s new album highlights Persian Heritage.
