By Charlie Lake
Staff Writer
Ed Sheeran’s new album, “Autumn Variations,” is the first of his albums to stray from the titles of his previous albums by using arithmetic symbols as album titles to express his original music.
“Autumn Variations” is the most recent addition to Sheeran’s discography, released under his record label, Gingerbread Man Records. This album has 14 tracks, with co-writing contributions from Aaron Dessner and Foy Vance.
“Autumn Variations” boasts an extensive diversity throughout its album, leaving listeners in delightful anticipation, never quite certain of what surprise awaits them on the next track. “Autumn Variations” has garnered favor among many listeners, as the album as a whole is more consistent to his iconic first 2 albums, for which he gained his initial popularity.
Ed Sheeran, a celebrated English singer and songwriter known for his emotional pop melodies, rose to fame with the release of his debut track, “A-Team.” This pivotal moment in his career unfolded during a memorable performance on the widely popular television show, “Later with Jools Holland,” a performance that swiftly earned him international recognition.
Despite straying from the naming conventions in his previous albums, “Autumn Variations” stays consistent with the musical style that raised Sheeran to fame. In stark contrast to his previous album, which left numerous fans disheartened with its venture into contemporary pop, “Autumn Variations” marks a return to Sheeran’s signature acoustic sound and emotional tracks.
Sheeran is known for producing music that touches his audience, and this album meets those expectations. “Autumn Variations” takes listeners on a captivating journey through the profound changes and personal growth he has recently experienced in his life. With his masterful songwriting abilities and lyrical finesse, he not only shares his story but also touches the hearts of the audience, creating an engaging and mesmerizing musical experience.
Among the tracks on the album, a couple of songs truly shine, notably “Amazing” and “American Town.” These two are most consistent with his previous and more recognized songs. Their upbeat rhythms are undeniably easy on the ears and have a remarkable ability to evoke powerful feelings of nostalgia among listeners. With their upbeat rhythms and bubbly vibes, these songs bear striking resemblance to some of his most beloved and energetic hits, such as “Shape of You” and “Castle on the Hill”.
“That’s On Me” is most consistent with the musical direction Sheeran explored in his prior album that left many fans disappointed. While it adopts a slower tempo, it retains contemporary pop elements that were prominently featured in his previous album. The otherwise lack of consistency to his previous album, “=,” throughout the album indicates that Sheeran recognized the faults that came from straying too far into the “cringy” realm of pop music. Through this realization, Sheeran returns to his original and instrumental music, meeting his fans’ high expectations.
“Blue” and “When Will I Be Alright” both adopt a more subdued and emotionally motivated rhythm. In these songs, Sheeran exposes his vulnerability, significantly focusing on the lyrical content rather than instrumentals. Both songs exude the raw, acoustic essence that Sheeran is known for, showcasing his heartfelt and intimate musical abilities.
“Autumn Variations” has profound emotional lyricism and offers a glimmer to Sheeran’s former glory as a singer and songwriter. Ultimately, this album left listeners satisfied through the wide spectrum of emotions and messages, offering a rich and captivating musical experience.
“Autumn Variations” was released on Sept. 29 and can be streamed through Spotify and Apple Music.
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