My top 5 so far after a few listens [not counting previously released singles]

 

1. Galway Girl [this should be the third single]

2. Barcelona [great effort trying to sing in Spanish!]

3. New Man

4. Strawberry Flowers [am I the only one who couldn't stop crying after first listen?]

5. Eraser

 

not into Perfect yet...

Edited March 4, 20178 yr by rafik4u

I would disagree here. Two of his songs are heavily influenced by Irish tradional music. Like when or how has that ever been used in mainstream music recently? That is definitely changing things up and is certainly a risk for a worldwide album where this music would never have been experienced.

 

On those two songs I agree with you - and that's why I said it's more varied than most mainstream pop star albums - but most of the rest of the album follows the formula of + and x. His pre-fame EPs are generally more experimental, particularly No.5 Collaborations Project.

 

I'm glad Galway Girl is the most popular album track as there are FINALLY glimmers of hope that something other than tropical house can do well on Spotify in the future and we may just have some variation back in the charts. I hope it encourages other artists to take risks and try their hands with different genres instead of just following the tropical/future bass pattern to get a desperate hit.

I'm glad Galway Girl is the most popular album track as there are FINALLY glimmers of hope that something other than tropical house can do well on Spotify in the future and we may just have some variation back in the charts. I hope it encourages other artists to take risks and try their hands with different genres instead of just following the tropical/future bass pattern to get a desperate hit.

Yeah, it just shows that a track doesn't necessarily need to be trend-hopping or generic to be popular, Galway Girl is as popular as it is because it's different, and a genuinely great track. Nearly everyone I've seen on here and in real life loves it and the large majority of those people I'd never associate with delving into Irish Folk influenced music.

Galway Girl is the best track. SO catchy and it's definitely different to what is in the charts at the moment. Instantly my favourite.

 

I think it's a really strong album, definitely can tell he is going for worldwide success, and I can't blame him. But I think the album is actually quite experimental at the same time as not being entirely alienating. There are bits and pieces for everyone.

 

I really like the deluexe tracks, I think they're probably stringer than some of the album tracks. How much does that Yibba (can't remember it's full name) sound like Crystal Castles? Such a good up-tempo feel to it.

Ed co-wrote just FOUR songs from this album apparently!

Ed co-wrote just FOUR songs from this album apparently!

 

But he has a writing credit on all the tracks?

 

It's not hard to fact-check these things before you post them sometimes.

Yeah but so does Beyonce for changing a word or two

Ed co-wrote just FOUR songs from this album apparently!

Where are you getting that from?

 

He wrote all the songs, yes he has co-writers but you can't deny his talent as a songwriter, even if you don't like the songs (and I don't like a lot of his songs).

There is no way Ed wouldn't at least co-write every song, that's the kind of artist he is. He writes his own stuff and that's a lot of the reason for him doing music, to make his own songs. He co-produced a fair chunk of the album too (Eraser, Shape Of You, Perfect, Hearts Don't Break Around Here, What Would I Know?, How Would You Feel, Supermarket Flowers and all the bonus tracks).

 

There is such a thing as google before you post questions or statements just for the sake of it without checking :kink:

But he has a writing credit on all the tracks?

 

It's not hard to fact-check these things before you post them sometimes.

:rolleyes:

 

Last month Ed only had 4 writing credits on the album. He then got confronted/questioned about it then suddenly he had credits on every song :rolleyes:

I have screen grabs too

Seriously please stop double posting all the time, there is an edit button for a reason :drama:

 

Also at the time when less was known about the album I assume people were just piecing together who they knew he worked with on certain tracks etc.

I highly doubt that though I mean Ed nhas always been a songwriter when making his music he has never had that taken away from him :lol:

Seriously please stop double posting all the time, there is an edit button for a reason :drama:

ok will do :blink:

Played the album to my partner today who reckons much of it is quite samey (have to agree that some of the ballads do kind of blend into one another, although that may just because they are new to my ears).

 

The most amusing comment, however, was being asked whether or not the into to Barcelona featured guest vocals from Rolf Harris!! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Well I must say am I pleasantly surprised by a lot of what I've heard from this album! Those Irish folk inclusions are both brilliant and definitely show a unique side to the album, Galway Girl in particular sounded fantastic on first listen. There were a couple of others that sounded good too & potential to be growers.

 

There's still a bit of the old dirge loitering (Perfect, Supermarket Flowers & the worst of all How Would You Feel) but overall this is a far superior album to x (thank heavens).

:rolleyes:

 

Last month Ed only had 4 writing credits on the album. He then got confronted/questioned about it then suddenly he had credits on every song :rolleyes:

 

Back in your box.

:rolleyes:

 

Last month Ed only had 4 writing credits on the album. He then got confronted/questioned about it then suddenly he had credits on every song :rolleyes:

 

 

I have screen grabs too

I have screen grabs too

 

 

Omg show the grabs!!

 

I am atarting to think he is very fake and manufactured.

I've given the album two spins so far and, whilst there is some filler that should be subtracted [some of that boyband-esque tosh in the name of Happier, Hearts Don't Break Around Here and How Would You Feel (Peen)], I find much of the album instantly likeable. The uptempo songs are the highlights, they are more interesting and more unique; and the deluxe edition songs are far, far stronger than the songs I've listed above that made the standard edition. The sequencing of the album is, for the most part, a mess; and some much needed rearranging of the ordering of the tracks is necessary. I'm enjoying it on the whole, and it grew on me the second time around in comparison to the first listen; but it is not as strong as x or +.

 

I hope that his next album will be more experimental. It's a shame because his pre-frame EPs showcase his individuality more; they are more diverse and cover a wider range of genres, particularly No. 5 Collaborations Project. He should delve deeper into his acoustic-meets-urban roots, and combine that with some grime and dance music on his next record alongside stronger, more meaningful lyrical content. With the exception of Dive, which is glorious -- and though I enjoy Perfect -- the bland lovelorn balladry on here really bogs the record down. Galway Girl and Nancy Mulligan are in particular a refreshing change of sound, and tracks like Eraser, New Man and Barcelona are more in line with the direction that I was more of the album was in. The songs are well written, strongly sang and slickly produced on the whole but he's not fulfilling his full potential as an artist here.

 

I've picked up on some complaints around other music forums about his business-savvy attitude and chart-thirsty comments in recent interviews making him seem unlikeable, and I agree. He needs to learn how to be selective with what he says. In his defence, you don't stay this successful with such a huge demand without some idea of how to manipulate the business; however, he should let the music speak for itself and allow his artistry to shine more. I believe that many people would think his commercial greed is quite an unattractive trait for an artist to have. He is in the position where he can afford to experiment with his music more as he did with his pre-fame work. I hope he takes that opportunity with the fourth album.

Edited March 5, 20178 yr by MrIndependent