Ed Sheeran took to social media at the beginning of this year to announce the release of new music after being on hiatus for what felt like forever for his fans. Although many were left wondering whether we would be surprised with a full-length album or a single based on his vague posts featuring song lyrics or audio clips, the result was two new songs. "Cause I’ve been away for a bit here’s two singles rather than one ", the singer-songwriter tweeted the day the music was released. Over the year Ed's popularity has grown, and even more so after his two new songs off his upcoming Divide album hit the mainstream. If you are on the fence about his new work, or maybe you have never listened to the ginger-haired, guitar-strumming genius here are some reasons you give the newest Ed-itions (get it?) to his discography a shot.
1. He has a way with words unlike any artist out there.
Sheeran's use of imagery to describe the most sincere or realistic moments makes his songs that much more desirable. I mean, who else but Ed would describe the experience after breaking their leg as he "tasted the sweet perfume of the mountain grass [he] rolled down "? Also, the line in "Shape Of You" where he says "your love was handmade for somebody like me " is killer.
2. You cannot help but want to dance listening to "Shape Of You".
Ed has had his share of single that might get you moving on the dance floor, and he does it yet again with this particular song. "Shape Of You" was destined to be played on pop radio or over the speakers at a party.
3. "Castle On The Hill" perfectly encompasses the temporary but magical childhood years you spend with you friends where you live.
With his hometown of Suffolk in mind, Ed writes of love made and lost, friends coming and leaving, and everything else in between in this ballad about where he grew up. Although most of us probably didn't grow up watching the sun set behind a castle, we can find some sort of connection between the memories he shares as he matures and how he begins to miss what used to be.
4. The lyrics are catchy and easy to sing along to.
Known for sometimes being a "singer with a flow", Sheeran does not make his newest singles hard to follow at all. With repetition of choruses featuring lines like "I'm on my way / driving at 90 down those country lanes / singing to 'Tiny Dancer'" and "come on now, follow my lead / I may be crazy, don't mind me", you cannot help but roll down the windows in your car and yell the lyrics at the top of your lungs.
5. Do you think one of the songs sounds too auto-tuned? Well, listen to him perform "Castle On The Hill" acoustically.
You can find "Castle On The Hill" and "Shape Of You" on iTunes, Ed's YouTube channel, Spotify, and almost everywhere. What are you waiting for? Go listen!
