Album: ÷ (Divide) by Ed Sheeran (2017)
Genre: folk
Record Label: Asylum Records
Format: CD

Artist Background: Edward Christopher "Ed" Sheeran (born 17 February 1991) is an English singer-songwriter and musician. He was born in Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire and raised in Framlingham, Suffolk. He dropped out of school at 16, and moved to London the following year, in 2008, to pursue a career in music. In early 2011, Sheeran independently released the extended play, No. 5 Collaborations Project, which caught the attention of Elton John and Jamie Foxx. After signing with Asylum Records, his debut album, + (... Part of the Halifax, England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Lewis Capaldi, James Arthur, Shawn Mendes, Calum Scott

Music Scene: Part of the Halifax, England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: folk, 2010s, CD, Asylum Records


On his third full-length, the superstar shows the full wealth and range of his powers. ÷ is a ruthlessly melodic run through a staggering array of styles, further proof that Sheeran is a singer-songwriter for these musical times: a balladeer who can blur the lines between Celtic folk and hip-hop (“Galway Girl”) just as readily as he can summon big, festival-ready sentiments (“Castle on the Hill”), impassioned serenades (“Perfect”) and pulse-quickening pop (“Shape of You”).

Album: No.6 Collaborations Project by Ed Sheeran (2019)
Genre: contemporary folk
Record Label: Asylum Records UK
Format: Digital Media

Description: explicit

Artist Background: Artist from GB, known for dance-pop, folk, folk pop, persian pop, pop

Musical Influences: Matt Sheeran, Ashleigh Mannix

Related Artists: Lewis Capaldi, James Arthur, Shawn Mendes, Calum Scott

Music Scene: Part of the Halifax, England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: contemporary folk, 2010s, Digital Media, Asylum Records UK


This record was based on one I made in 2010 called No.5 Collaborations Project with a load of artists I liked. I had a little folder on my laptop called No.6 Collaborations Project, so I started ringing up people who I wanted to work with. I think the first was Camila, and then it sort of opened up from there. I based myself in Nashville, set up a studio there and started making songs, so whenever an artist passed through Nashville I would hit them up and they would come to the house. We’d make a song, and the record was made over the course of three months, with lots of people I like. I really stepped out of my comfort zone on some stuff. It was very fun and I hope you enjoy it. —Ed

Album: + by Ed Sheeran (2011)
Genre: Pop | Style: Rock/Pop | Mood: Philosophical
Record Label: Atlantic
Format: Album

Description: + (pronounced Plus) is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, released through Atlantic Records on 9 September 2011. The album marks Sheeran's commercial breakthrough, having previously released five EPs independently. Jake Gosling produced the majority of the album, with additional production coming from acclaimed American hip hop producer No I.D.. Upon release, + debuted atop of the UK Albums Chart with first-week sales exceeding 102,000 copies.
Media interest surrounding + was fuelled significantly by its two preceding singles-"The A Team" and "You Need Me, I Don't Need You"-which peaked at number three and number four on the UK Singles Chart respectively. "Lego House" was released on 11 November 2011 as the album's third single and emulated the chart success of its predecessors, peaking at number five in the UK. It was met with generally mixed reviews from music critics.

Artist Background: Edward Christopher "Ed" Sheeran (born 17 February 1991) is an English singer-songwriter and musician. He was born in Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire and raised in Framlingham, Suffolk. He dropped out of school at 16, and moved to London the following year, in 2008, to pursue a career in music. In early 2011, Sheeran independently released the extended play, No. 5 Collaborations Project, which caught the attention of Elton John and Jamie Foxx. After signing with Asylum Records, his debut album, + (... Part of the Halifax, England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Lewis Capaldi, James Arthur, Shawn Mendes, Calum Scott

Music Scene: Part of the Halifax, England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Pop, Rock/Pop, Philosophical, 2010s, Album, Atlantic

Additional Context: Sales figures: 3925000. Based on 4 votes. Available on Discogs marketplace


+ (pronounced Plus) is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, released through Atlantic Records on 9 September 2011. The album marks Sheeran's commercial breakthrough, having previously released five EPs independently. Jake Gosling produced the majority of the album, with additional production coming from acclaimed American hip hop producer No I.D.. Upon release, + debuted atop of the UK Albums Chart with first-week sales exceeding 102,000 copies.
Media interest surrounding + was fuelled significantly by its two preceding singles-"The A Team" and "You Need Me, I Don't Need You"-which peaked at number three and number four on the UK Singles Chart respectively. "Lego House" was released on 11 November 2011 as the album's third single and emulated the chart success of its predecessors, peaking at number five in the UK. It was met with generally mixed reviews from music critics.

Album: - by Ed Sheeran (2023)
Genre: Pop | Mood: Philosophical
Format: Album

Description: - ("Subtract") is the sixth studio album by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released on 5 May 2023 through Asylum and Atlantic Records. A mostly acoustic album, - was preceded by the singles "Eyes Closed" and "Boat" and serves as a visual album, with videos for the remaining twelve tracks premiering on the album's release date.

Background
Ed Sheeran announced the album title, tracklist and release date on 1 March 2023 through all social media platforms. He also announced a mini-European tour from 23 March to 2 April, to complement the release of the album's lead single. It was produced and co-written by Aaron Dessner of the indie rock band The National, who also produced Taylor Swift's albums Folklore and Evermore. Sheeran and Dessner wrote over thirty songs together during a month-long studio session, which was eventually cut down to the album's fourteen tracks. - serves as the final mathematical-themed album by Sheeran.

On 29 April 2023, Sheeran announced a series of intimate shows in North America as part of a mini tour for the album.

Artist Background: Edward Christopher "Ed" Sheeran (born 17 February 1991) is an English singer-songwriter and musician. He was born in Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire and raised in Framlingham, Suffolk. He dropped out of school at 16, and moved to London the following year, in 2008, to pursue a career in music. In early 2011, Sheeran independently released the extended play, No. 5 Collaborations Project, which caught the attention of Elton John and Jamie Foxx. After signing with Asylum Records, his debut album, + (... Part of the Halifax, England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Lewis Capaldi, James Arthur, Shawn Mendes, Calum Scott

Music Scene: Part of the Halifax, England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Pop, Philosophical, 2020s, Album


- ("Subtract") is the sixth studio album by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released on 5 May 2023 through Asylum and Atlantic Records. A mostly acoustic album, - was preceded by the singles "Eyes Closed" and "Boat" and serves as a visual album, with videos for the remaining twelve tracks premiering on the album's release date.

Background
Ed Sheeran announced the album title, tracklist and release date on 1 March 2023 through all social media platforms. He also announced a mini-European tour from 23 March to 2 April, to complement the release of the album's lead single. It was produced and co-written by Aaron Dessner of the indie rock band The National, who also produced Taylor Swift's albums Folklore and Evermore. Sheeran and Dessner wrote over thirty songs together during a month-long studio session, which was eventually cut down to the album's fourteen tracks. - serves as the final mathematical-themed album by Sheeran.

On 29 April 2023, Sheeran announced a series of intimate shows in North America as part of a mini tour for the album.

Album: = by Ed Sheeran (2021)
Genre: Pop | Style: Rock/Pop | Mood: Philosophical
Record Label: Asylum Records
Format: Album

Description: = (pronounced and subtitled "equals") is the fifth studio album by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, released on 29 October 2021 by Asylum and Atlantic Records. The album was supported by the singles "Bad Habits", "Shivers" and "Overpass Graffiti", in addition to "Visiting Hours", released as the sole promotional single. It received mixed reviews from music critics. The album reached number one in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Scotland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Background
On 18 August 2021, Sheeran said there would be a "big announcement" the following day. On 19 August, he announced the album and its release date of 29 October on his social media accounts. He described the album as his "coming-of-age" record. To him, the album was a "really personal record and one that means a lot to me", citing changes in his life, including marriage, the birth of his daughter and experienced losses. The promotional single "Visiting Hours" was released alongside the announcement.

In an interview with Capital FM on 27 June 2021, Sheeran also stated that he would like to see the songs he made for the film Yesterday appear on a repackaged version of the album before he goes on tour for the record.

Artist Background: Edward Christopher "Ed" Sheeran (born 17 February 1991) is an English singer-songwriter and musician. He was born in Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire and raised in Framlingham, Suffolk. He dropped out of school at 16, and moved to London the following year, in 2008, to pursue a career in music. In early 2011, Sheeran independently released the extended play, No. 5 Collaborations Project, which caught the attention of Elton John and Jamie Foxx. After signing with Asylum Records, his debut album, + (... Part of the Halifax, England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Lewis Capaldi, James Arthur, Shawn Mendes, Calum Scott

Music Scene: Part of the Halifax, England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Pop, Rock/Pop, Philosophical, 2020s, Album, Asylum Records

Additional Context: Rating score: 1. Based on 3 votes


= (pronounced and subtitled "equals") is the fifth studio album by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, released on 29 October 2021 by Asylum and Atlantic Records. The album was supported by the singles "Bad Habits", "Shivers" and "Overpass Graffiti", in addition to "Visiting Hours", released as the sole promotional single. It received mixed reviews from music critics. The album reached number one in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Scotland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Background
On 18 August 2021, Sheeran said there would be a "big announcement" the following day. On 19 August, he announced the album and its release date of 29 October on his social media accounts. He described the album as his "coming-of-age" record. To him, the album was a "really personal record and one that means a lot to me", citing changes in his life, including marriage, the birth of his daughter and experienced losses. The promotional single "Visiting Hours" was released alongside the announcement.

In an interview with Capital FM on 27 June 2021, Sheeran also stated that he would like to see the songs he made for the film Yesterday appear on a repackaged version of the album before he goes on tour for the record.

Album: Autumn Variations by Ed Sheeran (2023)
Genre: Pop | Mood: Philosophical
Format: Album

Description: Autumn Variations is the seventh studio album by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released on 29 September 2023 through his record label, Gingerbread Man Records. All tracks on the album were solely produced by Aaron Dessner, except the track "Spring", which was produced by Dessner together with his twin brother Bryce. The album also serves as Sheeran's second project of 2023, following the May release of his previous album -, and is the first studio album for which he owns the copyright.

Background
On 24 August 2023, Sheeran announced the album on social media, in which he said: "Last autumn, I found that my friends and I were going through so many life changes. After the heat of the summer, everything either calmed, settled, fell apart, came to a head or imploded". He also added: "My dad and brother told me about a composer called Elgar, who composed Enigma Variations, where each of the 14 compositions were about a different one of his friends. This is what inspired me to make this album."

The album was his first album released independently on his own label, Gingerbread Man Records. Sheeran said that there would be no singles or videos released to promote the album. Although one single, "American Town", was sent to Italian contemporary hit radio the same day as the album was released.

Artist Background: Edward Christopher "Ed" Sheeran (born 17 February 1991) is an English singer-songwriter and musician. He was born in Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire and raised in Framlingham, Suffolk. He dropped out of school at 16, and moved to London the following year, in 2008, to pursue a career in music. In early 2011, Sheeran independently released the extended play, No. 5 Collaborations Project, which caught the attention of Elton John and Jamie Foxx. After signing with Asylum Records, his debut album, + (... Part of the Halifax, England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Lewis Capaldi, James Arthur, Shawn Mendes, Calum Scott

Music Scene: Part of the Halifax, England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Pop, Philosophical, 2020s, Album


Autumn Variations is the seventh studio album by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released on 29 September 2023 through his record label, Gingerbread Man Records. All tracks on the album were solely produced by Aaron Dessner, except the track "Spring", which was produced by Dessner together with his twin brother Bryce. The album also serves as Sheeran's second project of 2023, following the May release of his previous album -, and is the first studio album for which he owns the copyright.

Background
On 24 August 2023, Sheeran announced the album on social media, in which he said: "Last autumn, I found that my friends and I were going through so many life changes. After the heat of the summer, everything either calmed, settled, fell apart, came to a head or imploded". He also added: "My dad and brother told me about a composer called Elgar, who composed Enigma Variations, where each of the 14 compositions were about a different one of his friends. This is what inspired me to make this album."

The album was his first album released independently on his own label, Gingerbread Man Records. Sheeran said that there would be no singles or videos released to promote the album. Although one single, "American Town", was sent to Italian contemporary hit radio the same day as the album was released.

Album: Play by Ed Sheeran (2025)
Format: Album

Artist Background: Edward Christopher "Ed" Sheeran (born 17 February 1991) is an English singer-songwriter and musician. He was born in Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire and raised in Framlingham, Suffolk. He dropped out of school at 16, and moved to London the following year, in 2008, to pursue a career in music. In early 2011, Sheeran independently released the extended play, No. 5 Collaborations Project, which caught the attention of Elton John and Jamie Foxx. After signing with Asylum Records, his debut album, + (... Part of the Halifax, England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Lewis Capaldi, James Arthur, Shawn Mendes, Calum Scott

Music Scene: Part of the Halifax, England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: 2020s, Album


Ed Sheeran’s appeal has always stemmed from the authenticity his music exudes. After learning guitar from the age of 11, the British singer-songwriter independently put out five EPs, garnering him a sizeable and wide-ranging fanbase in the UK. Those early releases notably included 2011’s No. 5 Collaborations Project, a collection that brought together Sheeran’s folk-adjacent acoustic pop with his love of rap, featuring some of the UK’s premier grime MCs (including Jme, Wiley and P Money). So when Sheeran’s debut album, +, arrived in 2011—the same year he turned 20—it was perhaps not surprising that his voice was occasionally imbued with the flexible elasticity of rap delivery, his soft vocals often bouncing between a bounding quick pace and a slower, more deliberate troubadour style.

Produced and written by Sheeran, with help from Jake Gosling—who’s also worked with the likes of One Direction and Lady Gaga—this is an album of simple but affecting pop music, one that wears its vernacular Britishness and youthfulness on its sleeve: A breakup song about Sheeran’s ex starting her undergraduate degree while he’s on the road is titled “U.N.I.”—a reference to “you and I”, of course, but also “uni” .

In the scheme of Sheeran’s career, some of the tracks on + now feel a little insipid. But there’s no denying the fact that many have become staples of an era—after all, this is the album that delivered such hits as “The A Team”, “Drunk”, “You Need Me, I Don’t Need You” and “Lego House”. There’s an earnest quality to these tracks, which tackle alcoholism, the music industry and lost loves—all of it imbued with a directness stemming from the simple combination of Sheeran and his acoustic guitar. One of the most essential debuts of the 2010s, + established Sheeran’s ear for melody, as well as his knack for communicating with his audience—two traits that would power the singer-songwriter’s career in the years ahead.

Ed Sheeran used his last two albums as a bit of a genre cleanse. Now he’s ready for a full pop revival on his eighth full-length. “I think - [Subtract] and Autumn Variations were a really good circuit breaker for me to just be like, ‘I’m a singer-songwriter, I’m going to make singer-songwriter albums and I am going to dip in and out of things when I feel like it,’” he tells Apple Music’s Zane Lowe. “And I think that Play will be one of the last pop hurrahs that I’ll get away with.”

Play inhabits a familiar but expanding sonic space in Sheeran’s oeuvre. For several songs, he relies heavily on diverse Eastern musical styles like the Bollywood-tinged “Sapphire”, the Persian-influenced “Azizam” and the Punjabi-inspired “Symmetry”. “I’m just exploring completely new different world and cultures, and there are superstars in the same country with different languages, and that’s super exciting as well,” he says. On tracks like “Old Phone” (a remembrance of lost friends that recalls the storytelling of “Castle on the Hill”) and “The Vow” (which harkens to “Perfect” and “Thinking Out Loud”), he throws back to the traditional Sheeran sound of old. 

Both deeply personal and mostly relatable, many cuts belie his devotion to his family and wife. Two sweetly romantic odes, “In Other Words” and “For Always”, also describe universal emotions. “They’re very human things that you go through with your partner or your kids,” he says. “There’s stuff that I can relate to with my friends going through the same things. I’m very vastly different in other areas of my life and things that I do, but I think when you are a partner and a father and a friend, you share many, many, many experiences.” 

But it’s the album’s first song “Opening” that may be more specific to Sheeran’s particular circumstances, taking a critical eye to his own international fame. “Not the pop star they say they prefer/Kept quiet but I came to be heard/Been a long time up top, but I ain’t complacent/If I look down, I can see replacements.” He’s not worried, though, about those deemed “the next Ed Sheeran”: “I just take them on tour.”

Ed Sheeran

Biography

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Discography