Photo courtesy of Wyn Wiley

Popular English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran is known for his unique R&B-style Pop-Rock anthems. His original songs are smooth and rich, yet sharp and percussive. Sheeran’s most recent album, ÷ (“Divide”), was released in March 2017. The new album was an instant hit on Spotify and set the record for first-day album streams in history.

I am a big fan of Ed Sheeran. I would also consider myself to be a musical person. I have always admired the rhythmic, instrumental and vocal decisions he makes. I like the fact that he separates himself from mainstream artists of today. His songs don’t sound like anything else on the radio, which is always refreshing.

Throughout his entire journey as an artist, Ed Sheeran has always been easily identifiable. When one of his songs comes on, it takes me only a couple seconds to recognize his rare voice and stand-out melodies. However, one trait of the music industry is that it is always changing. Although he has evolved as an artist alongside the developing entertainment industry, his roots remain the same. The likeable qualities of his music that lured people in at the beginning are still there — hence the album’s immediate success.

For “Divide,” Sheeran wrote meticulous, well-constructed, alluring songs. He seems to have spent more time than ever on the message he relays to society, rather than the technicality of the music.

One thing he is known for is the emotional relatability of his writing. I think more than anything, I am drawn to his lyrics. There are several lyrical stories in “Divide” that are sentimental. “Supermarket Flowers” speaks in memory of an “angel” that was Sheeran’s grandmother; “Happier” tells the story of Sheeran watching his previous love interest be happier without him; “What Do I Know?” illustrates what Sheeran wishes the world could be, if it were to embrace its potential, with lines such as “we could change this whole world with a piano.” Combining Sheeran’s velvet voice with his powerful songwriting, “Divide” is altogether compelling.

In the 16 new songs that make up “Divide,” there are hints of ambition, magnanimity, and courage. I think more than any of Ed Sheeran’s other albums, “Divide” is a polished portrayal of his own transparency and vulnerability. As a listener, it’s appealing to hear audio illustrations of his personal reality. People do not necessarily want to know Ed as an artist only but also as a person. Because when it comes to music, it’s not always all about talent; it’s about goosebumps.