Last Friday, Ed Sheeran released two new singles to the public: Shape of You and Castle on the Hill. Both songs offer completely different vibes and sounds, but both songs have that Ed Sheeran magic that excited the world when he announced the releases earlier last week. For me specifically, I remember seeing his announcement on Instagram and I immediately could not stop smiling. I had anticipated new music from Ed since his last album was released and since the EP package on Spotify was released. I remember listening to every bit of the Ed Sheeran collection with one of my best friends, and even now it’s become a tradition to listen to it at the end of every semester on our way to the airport. There was always this relaxed vibe I got from listening to Ed Sheeran music. I couldn’t wait for him to add to his collection. Thursday night, what would be early Friday morning in London, England, I checked Spotify and there were the two blue singles.

The first one I saw was the second of his uploads, Castle on the Hill. As I normally do with new, highly anticipated releases, I turned off my lights and cranked up the volume. I definitely did not expect this song to be as upbeat as it was, and when it was, my heart immediately synced up to the beat. There is a depth to the song that I immediately connected to and I guess I just fell into the small country town that Ed was explaining. I felt the sunset over the castle on the hill. I listened to the song over and over again that night and couldn’t help but try to explain to myself what the song felt like when suddenly it hit me. This song, to me, felt like flying. I know that must sound weird, but you know how every blue moon there is that song that you listen to, and it just hits you and takes you to a completely new place, like you’ve transcended a new plane and you’ve connected so deeply with the person who wrote the song that you just, you know, feel it? That is what this song was for me. Castle in the Hill… Amazing, Ed, truly.

The second song that Sheeran released, Shape of You, was another total jam. Though it didn’t transcend me into a new plane, it did have me bobbing my head and rocking to it in a way that only funky Ed Sheeran songs can. The lyrics have that relatable ring that have always drawn me to Sheeran’s songs. Both songs definitely do not disappoint have a permanent spot on my favorites playlist forever. Keep doing what you’re doing, Ed. Thank you so much.

Check out Castle on the Hill, Shape of You, and other Ed Sheeran songs here!