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The Life of Ed Sheeran, BY Ed Sheeran
- Jhanya&Ria's Corner
- Oct 30, 2021
- 8 min read
"It's hard to break the landing But I'll see you again"
= (Equals)
Ed Sheeran
Available on all leading music platforms
29 October 2021
14 Songs
= (Equals) is Ed Sheeran’s fourth studio album, released on the 29th of October 2021. = tells the story of Ed Sheeran’s domestic bliss after getting married and having a baby. The album mixes acoustics, ballads, and dance-pop. It takes you through sadness, love, lust, romance, parenthood, and even death and life.
Intro
"Time stops to still
When you are in my arms, it always will
And life, life is changin' tides"
Ria: “Tides” is a great and perfect way to start this album. Since this album was released after several years, a LOT has happened in Ed’s life. And this song tells the story of what has happened and how it’s going now, which is essentially what the album is about. The song hints at the meaning that’s going to be portrayed by each song in the album and the melody and instrumentation, I feel, has such a balance of bop and ballad. I really don’t know how Ed Sheeran does this.
Jhanya: ”Tides” is a banger album opener. It definitely hypes you up for the rest of the album. Right from the start, you already know you’re in for a ride. The indie rocker vibes of the song can remind us of “Castle on the Hill” from ÷ (Divide) and give us the same feel. As Ria said, the song tells a story. Here, Sheeran gives us a sneak peek of how each song will tell its own stories and how personal this album is for the singer.
Best Lyrics
This will also focus on lyricism NOT meaning behind the lyrics (that will be talked about later, don’t worry hehe).
Ria: It’s honestly so hard to determine this because Ed Sheeran’s lyrics are just *chef’s kiss*. He has a way with words that he makes into art. This song, however, stood out among all the rest.
The Joker and The Queen
"When I fold, you see the best in me
the joker and the queen"
Ria: It’s so ironic how this song has the best lyrics but my favorite lyric of this song is literally the title. ANYWAYS. This song's imagery is off the charts. I mean the whole song is basically imagery. Now, I don't want to spoil it so much because it'd be great for you to figure it out yourself. Just a hint, poker and love. Anyways, this song encapsulates how great a songwriter Ed is. I mean HOW CAN POKER BE RELATED TO LOVE IN THE FIRST PLACE? The answer is this song.
Jhanya: I mean…. Is there any other song in this album that tops “The Joker and The Queen” when it comes to its lyricism? This song shows how Ed Sheeran has grown as a songwriter and it’s absolutely touching to see/hear. Whether it be from the imagery or the underlying message, I was swooning when I first listened to this song.
Best Melody and Instrumentation
Ria: This would focus more on the instruments used, the melody, and how well it was mixed and produced in the song sticks out among the rest. Ed’s a great producer but I feel like this album had less production and just more authentic acoustics and vocals.
But! These two songs were what really stood out to me.
Bad Habits
Ria: Need I say more? Check out our full review on the song here.
Stop the Rain
“You cannot stop the rain, no way”
Ria: This song is such a bop!! The mix of the beats and the acoustic guitar made this song really unique. I mean, it's Ed's signature but this song had an extra oomph to it. I still can't quite put my finger on what it is but this song just makes me wanna jam to it.
Jhanya: In contrast to Ria, here are my top songs when it comes to productions:
Shivers
“Ooh, I love it when you do it like that
And when you're closer, give me the shivers”
This song is such a vibe. Ugh. It’s just the right song to listen to when you need something upbeat and energizing. Check out our full review on the song here.
Be Right Now
"I don't wanna miss one thing
We can turn the whole world down
And listen to the in-between"
This was such a good closing song for the album. Its electronic and up-tempo with layered vocal harmonies were so well produced and sure to leave you satisfied till the end. The production and the message really fit the theme Sheeran wanted.
Most Meaningful and Relevant
Ria: I couldn’t choose between the three which meaning I loved the best, so I just wrote them all down.
Jhanya: Since Ria and I have the same thoughts anyway, let’s just review some of these songs with our og format haha
First Times
"And I can't wait to make a million more first times"
Ria: Just the meaning of the song itself is making me so soft. I mean it's a love song for the first time to anyone really. Although what's highlighted is definitely with Ed's wife, we can translate this song with anyone. It could be the first time with your partner, or first time with your friends, or first time with Ed's fans. And it's those first times you hold on to. And the setting of the song just fits perfectly to it. The light guitar acoustic with the airy vocals.
Visiting Hours
"So much has changed since you've been away"
Ria: This song hits so hard, it nearly made me literally sob. This song, I think, will hit so close to home for you also. In the situation we're in right now, this song speaks to everyone, especially those who've lost someone special. I feel like this song is something everyone needs right now. Ed's vocals here are also just so pretty. His falsettos are on point and the emotional depth he brings to the song is just top tier.
"I wish that Heaven had visiting hours
And I would ask them if I could take you home
But I know what they'd say, that it's for the best
So I will live life the way you taught me
And make it on my own"
Jhanya: “Visiting Hours” had me on the verge of tears from the first time I listened to it in Sheeran’s live performance video and it still did when I listened to it in the album. This song hits so close to home if you’ve lost someone in your life, and everyone has, to be honest. Out of the three songs, I think this is the most emotional one in terms of lyrics, message, and vocal technique used.
Sandman
"Go to sleep now
Hanging out with the sandman"
Ria: This song is making me so soft again. I mean, Ed just sang a song for his child, who isn’t sobbing with me?!?! The meaning of the song also hits hard because it isn’t just the usual “I love you, my child, since the first time I saw you, I will protect you from everything.” No, Ed embraced how harsh the world is and how it’s going to corrupt his child no matter how much he wants to stop that. He’s more of saying that he’d be there to guide and support them, no matter what. And the instrumentation of this song is super cute! It’s an obvious hint towards the naivety of Ed’s daughter.
"And loving you is easy
But life will not always be"
Jhanya: To say my jaw dropped when the intro of this song played will be an understatement. I had to check that I wasn’t listening to Jason Mraz all of a sudden when this song started LMAO. The soft, yet playful instrumentation of it is so different from Ed’s style, but also very “lullaby-esque” that it makes sense that he wrote this for his daughter. Upon listening and understanding the lyrics, I just became a pile of soft mush. If there’s one type of song that makes my heart melt every single time, it’s lullabies. Especially ones that are sung/written by fathers to their children.
Favorite Song
"I will always love you for what it's worth
...
Baby, you will never be lost on me"
Ria: I'm not a hundred percent sure yet, but I think “Overpass Graffiti” might be my favorite song out of all. “The Joker and the Queen” is a close contender though. I feel like the mix of melody, instrumentation, lyrics, and meaning spoke to me. I may not all be spectacular individually, but when you put them all together, it just makes the song pop up to me. This song's imagery was quite nice also. Ed's use of the graffiti indicates how his partner is not like it is really unique. We usually see imagery and metaphors as something the same, here it's the opposite. And using that to mean that his partner will never be forgotten is also just so heartfelt.
Jhanya: Unlike Ria, I have finalized my top faves hahahaha First, of course, is “The Joker and The Queen”. As I’ve said earlier this song simply blew me away at how romantic it was. I personally prefer this over the past romantic ballads of Sheeran so that speaks volumes on how much I love it. Coming in at a not-so-close 2nd is “Love in Slow Motion”. It may not have been as super-duper mind-blowing as the other songs, but I’ve always loved Sheeran’s folk songs and this one is just one of them. The meaning of the song also just hit my romantic side too much hehe
Outro
"I don't wanna miss one thing
We can turn the whole world down"
Ria: “Be Right Now” might just be the best closing song ever. It perfectly closes the whole album and Ed is basically just going back to his family which has brought him so much joy and meaning. I also love how the song talks about being in the present and enjoying the moment. I think this is also so much more relevant now with everything, it makes the moments we experience now with the people we love so much more important and meaningful.
Jhanya: As I’ve mentioned earlier, “Be Right Now” ended this album on a high note. This was such a fun, yet meaningful song that can leave the listener in a good mood after listening.
Final Thoughts
Ria: Overall, I loved this album. It has a mix of everything from imagery to relevance to awesome instrumentation. This album is a bop also, despite several ballads and acoustics. The only thing that the album lacked, for me, is the originality. This album literally screams Ed Sheeran because we get his signature vocals paired with acoustics. And some songs give me vibes similar to his older songs. I mean “2step” made me think of “Eraser” from Ed’s ÷, which by the way, is, so far, his best album.
Side note! I just want to mention how much I love “Collide”. I didn’t mention it above since I don’t think it stuck out as the best but, it’s such an uplifting song with a cute meaning.
Jhanya: = (Equals) by Ed Sheeran has to be his most personal album yet. This album was written by Ed Sheeran FOR Ed Sheeran. Some may find this a bit incompatible for them as it really isn't for the masses, but I absolutely love that Sheeran decided to do it like that and did it for himself. It may not have been too different from his usual style, but I don’t think he needs to do so anyway. Ed Sheeran has found what he’s most comfortable with, and at the same time still continues to release hits after hits that will surely have the whole world playing them on repeat.
Song Rankings
| JHANYA | RIA |
1 | The Joker and The Queen | Overpass Graffiti |
2 | Love in Slow Motion | First TImes |
3 | Shivers | The Joker and The Queen |
4 | Sandman | Sandman |
5 | Visiting Hours | Visiting Hours |
6 | Stop the Rain | Stop the Rain |
7 | Tides | Collide |
8 | Bad Habits | Be Right Now |
9 | First Times | Tides |
10 | Overpass Graffiti | Bad Habits |
11 | Be Right Now | Shivers |
12 | 2step | Love in Slow Motion |
13 | Leave Your Life | Leave Your Life |
14 | Collide | 2step |
Rating
Criteria | Jhanya | Ria |
|---|---|---|
Lyrics (2) | 1.73 | 1.80 |
Melody (2) | 1.71 | 1.73 |
Instrumentation (1.5) | 1.39 | 1.34 |
Meaning (1.5) | 1.38 | 1.18 |
Originality (1) | 0.5 | 0.64 |
Relevance (1) | 0.68 | 0.86 |
Loop Value (1) | 0.82 | 0.96 |
TOTAL | 8.21 | 8.52 |
Final Score | 83.6 | |
FINAL RATING:
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