It is unbelievably clever what Ed Sheeran can do with just a guitar and a walking pedal. The British singer / songwriter regularly performs on his own at the biggest stages (for example Pinkpop mainstage, Heineken Music Hall and Madison Square Garden) and yet always manages to convince. With good songs, clever use of loops and above all with his good sense of show. Despite reaching the top in his
… early twenties, Sheeran seems to know exactly what the public wants. This is also evident with the release of X (pronounced: multiply), which follows his hit debut + (2011). On his second album, the Englishman dives into soul, R&B and even hip-hop styles, assisted by top producers such as Pharrell Williams and Rick Rubin. Very refreshing in addition to the sensitive songs that we are used to from him. But despite the fact that Sheeran consciously chooses to broaden his style, he remains loyal to his fans from the very beginning. Musical deepening is nice, but not at the expense of airplay, as the ambitious Sheeran admitted frankly. On X, Sheeran is treading a new path that feels like the old. The best of both worlds. (JE)more