Ed Sheeran’s latest album is a collaboration project which gathers artists from every corner of the charts. Featuring the likes of Stormzy and Camilla Caballo, the album is a bold Top 40 medley. It sounds something like a group of festival headliners get locked in a room together and are instructed to write something upbeat and poppy, so they put Ed Sheeran in charge.
But is the album a success? In some ways, yes. Among the star-studded collaboration list is the voice of our “everyday guy” Ed Sheeran, who takes comfort in his wife’s arms after being harassed every day by fans on the street. He has not strayed from his image, delivering an honest performance and delivering well-written material. And yet in some instances, this prevents the tracks from reaching their maximum effect.
For example, on “South of the Border”, Cabello and Sheeran sound like they are on different wavelengths and his collaboration with Stormzy sounds a little like the nerdy kid in class trying to join in with the hip-hop crowd. It’s admirable that Sheeran is trying to branch out into new genres and try new things, but he doesn’t convincingly pull it off. His attempt to rap is adequate at best and ultimately his voice sounds better when he uses it for what he does best – cheesy pop bangers.
One of the stronger collaborations is on “I Don’t Care” where he duets with Justin Beiber. A few years ago, this would have been a match made in heaven. Although the collaboration is a little late to the party, it does not disappoint. The pair sing: “Don’t think I fit in at this party / Everyone’s got so much to say, yeah / I always feel like I’m nobody, mm / Who wants to fit in anyway.” Beiber and Sheeran seem to connect musically here, perhaps because the feeling of isolation in fame is something the young pop stars can both relate to.
Overall, the “No. 6” is incredible solely on the basis that Ed Sheeran has managed to convince just about everybody to collaborate with him. Unfortunately, the album falls flat a little too often and it’s not quite the epic pop record we were hoping for.
3/5
