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About

Ed Sheeran’s 2011 debut album, <i>+</i>, introduced the world to an unassuming pop star. Sheeran, who cut his teeth sofa-surfing and playing gigs in pub, was a relatable everyman: His tunes combined singer-songwriter melodies with slippery hip-hop rhythm, and his lyrics were imbued with recognizable references and down-to-earth imagery. Sheeran came across as the guy you saw perform at an open mic night, and felt compelled to buy a drink for afterwards—mainly because he <i>was</i> that guy. Even when <i>+</i> began selling millions of copie, Sheeran was still showing up at gigs wearing a lumberjack shirt, loose-fitting jean, and chunky sneaker. He was dressing for comfort; as a result, he sometimes looked like he’d wandered onto stage by accident. That approachability is maintained on <i>x</i>, his 2014 follow-up. But peel back Sheeran’s modest take on pop, and there’s a quietly experimental thread running through the record—best evidenced on the wanton lead single, “Sing.” Producer Pharrell Williams draws Sheeran away from his nice-guy persona, adding snapping beat, sonar-like electronic, and a grooving rhythm guitar. “I want you to be mine, lady/And to hold your body close,” Sheeran spits on the verse, sounding like a tequila-soaked playboy. Then he slides into a seductive falsetto for the chorus: “If you love me/Come on, get involved.” .

via Apple Music

The Clerk says

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