Divide
by Ed Sheeran
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Mar 3, 2017
User Score
4.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 780 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 312 out of 780
  2. Mixed: 132 out of 780
  3. Negative: 336 out of 780
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  1. eagleeyeviking
    Apr 1, 2017
    6
    Middling with a few great exceptions, Ed Sheeran's downbeat 'Divide' is a collection of generic ballads with each song having one nuance to stand out. The best songs are when he experiments with different genres, or delves deep into the lyrics. Unfortunately, most of his songs are simply bland love songs.
  2. heisenbergsfan
    Mar 29, 2017
    0
    Piece of garbage. As simple as that. It is so unbelievably bland and lacking in sincerity or really any sense of vitality. Sheeran's ego is more substantial than the music he makes.
  3. spongeswift
    Mar 24, 2017
    7
    This album is ok. There's only 4 or 5 truly great songs, the rest really are alright or they are just bad. Not a bad album but for sure not Grammy Worthy.
  4. bernizzy
    Mar 22, 2017
    7
    I really don't understand the hate for this album. IMO, this is much better than what most artists are putting out (Starboy...blech). Some of the songs sound repetitive/familiar, but his lyric-writing ability makes a good chunk of the album worth listening to. There's so much more to the album than just Shape of You (which was just made to get on the radio) and Castle on a Hill (which isI really don't understand the hate for this album. IMO, this is much better than what most artists are putting out (Starboy...blech). Some of the songs sound repetitive/familiar, but his lyric-writing ability makes a good chunk of the album worth listening to. There's so much more to the album than just Shape of You (which was just made to get on the radio) and Castle on a Hill (which is quite good). He shows his range by writing old tales of love in many songs and some fresher topics in What Do I Know and Eraser. Sure some of it is cliché, but singing about love always will be; at least it's something meaningful (again, blech, Starboy)… Expand
  5. iikefruit
    Mar 22, 2017
    0
    THIS ALBUM IS UNLISTENBALE He simply made this album to become richer and more famous, and surely he will because it has easy songs and a lot of ballads, which he is known for. But it's really bad in terms of quality. Ed became obsessed with fame and money, and maybe that's the problem, because + and X were really good.
  6. thedaywalker
    Mar 22, 2017
    8
    I do not understand all the bad reviews, and how they say it's generic... listen to the instrumentals, they are so much different from what he used to make, songs like Barcelona, Bibia Be Ye Ye, Nancy Mulligan, Galway Girl are more than just simple ballads, he travelled the world and incorporated the different cultures as his own intrumentals, he reached new heights instrumentally, verseI do not understand all the bad reviews, and how they say it's generic... listen to the instrumentals, they are so much different from what he used to make, songs like Barcelona, Bibia Be Ye Ye, Nancy Mulligan, Galway Girl are more than just simple ballads, he travelled the world and incorporated the different cultures as his own intrumentals, he reached new heights instrumentally, verse wise i can agree too that he needs something new, but he also went deep with songs like Supermarket Flowers and Nancy Mulligan talking about his family history, and then there's Castle on the Hill which you can't help but to start to remise on your old days... maybe i'm just too much of an ed sheeran fan not too listen to what others are listening, but this album his great… Expand
  7. Revenice
    Mar 21, 2017
    0
    Es un álbum demasiado genérico, la única canción que se salva es "Shape on you", las otras 11 canciones tiene un ritmo muy parecido y la letra cliché para cautivar un publico adolescente.
  8. mattlynn1996
    Mar 21, 2017
    0
    Agreed. Worst Album Of the year. Just like a horrible p**n movie which would turned you on just for few minute, then you just pissed off by all this f**king boring stuff without any kind of honesty.Then, you start blame yourself wasting your time for this s**t, this stuff sucks.
  9. sujxthbaktha
    Mar 20, 2017
    0
    Before i begin reviewing this album, let it be known that this album was the one I was most anticipating, especially after listening to the 3 singles he had released before. When I first listened to this album, it was a poor experience. The intro to the album "Eraser" is the blandest intro I have ever heard. "Castle On A Hill" however was refreshing (since it was a previously heardBefore i begin reviewing this album, let it be known that this album was the one I was most anticipating, especially after listening to the 3 singles he had released before. When I first listened to this album, it was a poor experience. The intro to the album "Eraser" is the blandest intro I have ever heard. "Castle On A Hill" however was refreshing (since it was a previously heard single). Continuing along the album, all that was to be heard was a bland set of tracks, each switching between the same subject matter. After a close friend had suggested it was a great album, I re-listened to it. This time, not only did the music seem more bland, I realized that this album was very scattered. It was not at all cohesive. It was as if he shuffled each song name and randomly ordered them, defying the concept of an album. Ed Sheeran's fan base is clearly keeping him atop the Billboard 200, but in a few weeks, he'll have to respond for the poor project, and he will need to redeem himself.… Expand
  10. LKRATHOZ
    Mar 20, 2017
    3
    El nuevo album vino con grandes pretenciones de la mano de "Shape of You", una balada potente pero con sonidos nuevos y bastante comerciales e incluso bailables. Luego de escuchar el resto del disco me llevé una gran decepción, el disco contiene DOCE BALADAS, con sonidos repetidos, incluso similares a su anterior album "X". Es entendible lo de Sheeran, vino con un álbum que sabía que iba aEl nuevo album vino con grandes pretenciones de la mano de "Shape of You", una balada potente pero con sonidos nuevos y bastante comerciales e incluso bailables. Luego de escuchar el resto del disco me llevé una gran decepción, el disco contiene DOCE BALADAS, con sonidos repetidos, incluso similares a su anterior album "X". Es entendible lo de Sheeran, vino con un álbum que sabía que iba a cautivar al público teen, con letras genéricas acerca del lado A y B del amor, mas alguna anécdota de su vida y sus desamores, pero nada más.… Expand
  11. danjenkins32
    Mar 20, 2017
    6
    I'm a genuine fan of Ed Sheeran, but this album is far too tropey and clichéd for my liking. Eraser, Castle on the Hill, Dive, and Supermarket Flowers are the strongest songs here and the only real moments where he seems to emote. I was hoping he'd incorporate more of the influences of the countries he traveled to on his year off here, and he did that more so with the songs from theI'm a genuine fan of Ed Sheeran, but this album is far too tropey and clichéd for my liking. Eraser, Castle on the Hill, Dive, and Supermarket Flowers are the strongest songs here and the only real moments where he seems to emote. I was hoping he'd incorporate more of the influences of the countries he traveled to on his year off here, and he did that more so with the songs from the deluxe edition. Barcelona I could do without, but Bibia Be Ye Ye and Nancy Mulligan are honest, upbeat songs that would have lent themselves to a standard album that followed the aforementioned concept of focusing on his travels and reconnecting with himself. Save Myself is compelling as well since, for once, he takes a hard look at himself and knows he has to fix his own flaws before entering into a relationship with someone. Everything else here is either "poor me, this girl left me and her life is better and mine is still **** or "I've found someone new and my life is glorious now!" Ed should have picked a lane and stuck with it, and written better lyrics for the "someone new" songs. How Would You Feel is the only quality ballad here, all the others just sound the same. Ed can do better and has done better, and I'm hoping he'll do better again on his fourth album. But given the undeserved amount of cockiness he's displaying in his interviews for this album, I'm not sure that he will.… Expand
  12. laguns2011
    Mar 19, 2017
    8
    This album in my opinion is his best yet. The songs individually are very strong on here which in no wonder why all of them hit the top 20 here in the UK. Highlights of this album are Eraser,Castle on the hill,Dive,Shape of you and Galway girl. Happier however does sound like a Sam Smith reject.
  13. TheDoctorCZ
    Mar 19, 2017
    10
    I like all songs in this album. Ed's voice is perfect and lyrics is good too. I understand that someone won't like it. I like all of his albums. Maybe it is generic, but I still like it because these lyrics are about life and that's important for me. He created them with love.
  14. Edduardo20
    Mar 15, 2017
    3
    I've always been an advocate of Ed and his talent for composing, but this time ... unfortunately you have to be brutally honest.
    This album seems composed for a mediocre Boys Band. Which makes me think that many songs originally were for the sixth album of One Direcion before they announced their "break" cofcofBreakUpcofcof
    Seriously, and so dares to talk about Adele or Lady Gaga,    I've always been an advocate of Ed and his talent for composing, but this time ... unfortunately you have to be brutally honest.
    This album seems composed for a mediocre Boys Band. Which makes me think that many songs originally were for the sixth album of One Direcion before they announced their "break" cofcofBreakUpcofcof
    Seriously, and so dares to talk about Adele or Lady Gaga, especially this last one of the most complete artists in the industry.

    Only two or three cancones save the album (their singles) the rest in mediocre.    … Expand
  15. diegonelli
    Mar 15, 2017
    7
    Why does this have such negative reviews!?!? I mean yes, Divide is a monotonous album, but still it's Ed's style, what were you expecting? I still like his lyrics and voice.
  16. foryouidid
    Mar 15, 2017
    0
    First of all this albums is garbage. No redeeming factor whatsoever. Same old cheesy horrendous ballads and a couple of catchy but tragic songs. Why this album is so populat is BEYOND ME. I don't get the appeal. It's full of overdone cliche songs. Someone delete this from the history of music
  17. idontknowwhat
    Mar 14, 2017
    0
    Honestly so generic and plagiarized from so many different songs esp. Sia. Can't believe how trash this album is. Yuck. Had trouble listening to even the first song.
  18. Likeabawz151
    Mar 14, 2017
    9
    Divide is a solid album.
    Many people/reviewers are complaining that it "feels bland". They find the song unoriginal.
    I have the dissagree with them. I'm going to review every song: 1.Eraser: One of those classic rap ed sheeran songs, a nice refrain, excellent rapping and in this case really cool background guitar music. 9/10 2.Castle on the Hill: This song does remind me of his older    Divide is a solid album.
    Many people/reviewers are complaining that it "feels bland". They find the song unoriginal.
    I have the dissagree with them. I'm going to review every song:
    1.Eraser: One of those classic rap ed sheeran songs, a nice refrain, excellent rapping and in this case really cool background guitar music. 9/10
    2.Castle on the Hill: This song does remind me of his older ones, it is pretty good, catcy, original but sometimes the lyrics are a step back. 8/10
    3. Dive: Dive is awesome, it is powerfull, direct and the electric guitar in the background is just awesome. 9/10
    4. Shape of You: This is the most catchy song on the whole album, very nice melody, but you don't want to listen to it too often because then it gets slighty irritating. 8/10
    5. Perfect: Perfect is a romance ballad, it's pretty good but the lyrics are sometimes just too much, and it isn't that original. 7/10
    6. Galway Girl: The mix of Irish melody's and rap maybe sounds weird but hell this is a good one. Galway girl is amazing, you really going to like this song. 9/10
    7. Happier: Happier is one of the more emotional/sad song, it builds up pretty good, couplets are well written but sometimes the refrain feels a little bit too similat to Sam Smith. But still a 8/10
    8. New man: You know Ed does those catchy type of melodies like in Don't, Runaway and Touch and Go, he does it again, mixes it up a little and it sounds neat. The lyrics are funny, everything about this song is catchy. But the bridge is something I don't like that much. Doesn't really fit. 8/10
    9. Hearts Don't Break Around Here: A nice slow, romantic song from Ed, reminds you of older underdog songs from him. Pretty good. 8/10
    10. What Do I Know: This song is catchy, and just makes you happy, the lyrics on the other hand are sometimes like in the Refrain: "love and unstanding positivity" are a little annoying but after a while you don't mind it anymore. 9/10
    11. How would you feel: Very original guitar/piano work, pretty good, nice "John Mayer-ish" solo. The lyrics are sometimes a little annoying. 8/10
    12. Supermarket Flowers: This song is about his Grandma who passed away, it's very emotional, sad. I don't really have a complain about this song I just think it's great.
    Thanks Ed for this album, and thanks to everybody reading this!    … Expand
  19. S0BERB0Y
    Mar 14, 2017
    10
    Ed's new album is incredible! Although the tracks deluxes are medium, the other songs show the power of sheeran with the words, whereas the singles until then are hymns to the ears!
  20. bahpalta
    Mar 13, 2017
    10
    This website is a joke. Bunch of Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Katy Perry, etc gay ass fans giving low notes thinking their faves make good music and because hate him, Gaga fans cause they think he shaded her but he didn't.
    So they dislike comments which aren't what they wanna hear. SMH!
    The truth isn't always what you want btw.
  21. amorimxcd
    Mar 12, 2017
    0
    Álbum PÉSSIMO, super genérico, letras horríveis, esse cara tem que ter muita coragem pra se achar a rainha do chuveiro com um trabalho horrível desses.
  22. jesusraul
    Mar 12, 2017
    0
    In all the songs is the same basic and boring rhythm. It's the worst album I've ever heard. Maybe the only song that does not look like the others is Shape Of You, but from there on out they all look the same.
  23. fabiozdk
    Mar 12, 2017
    0
    Chato, entediante e clichê. Antes eu não entendia o sucesso todo do Ed, mas reconhecia a qualidade de suas musicas (mesmo não sendo nada autênticas). Já nesse álbum nada se destaca; é genérico ao máximo.
  24. bentheking
    Mar 12, 2017
    4
    Extremely generic and bland. The basic pop music needed to rule the charts without actually having any impact. The soundings of a sad work with blazing numbers!
  25. Duvcamacho
    Mar 12, 2017
    0
    Worst album of Ed. Do you consider that your best album? You're crazy man, you shouldn't give shades to other artists, it is ridiculous, I am not kidding.
  26. isthatbrandon
    Mar 12, 2017
    0
    Unoriginal and stupid music he's honestly the most overrated male artist of recent times...he is the male Taylor Swift equivalent. Just mediocre, boring and overhyped drivel
  27. Lucasmoura
    Mar 11, 2017
    3
    Boring album There's no innovation at all, the songs look the same. Ed this album is really bad. Only Perfect is good. In quality left a lot to be desired.
  28. maxsito061
    Mar 11, 2017
    0
    This is one of the most annoying albums i have ever heard.
    Ed Sheeran basically became one of the most unoriginal artist of this generation, by making songs only for the radio, throwing his chance of growing as an artist in trash.
  29. Max2405
    Mar 11, 2017
    0
    I loved his previous albums but this one seems like he's trying to get a quick hit to appeal to the masses.I feel like he's lost all of his artistic integrity.So disappointed.
  30. longlifeartpop
    Mar 11, 2017
    0
    The worst album I ever heard
    He believes he makes art and this its just another generic album without soul
    In this moment of the history we need real musicians and Ed sheeran is not one of them
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Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Most Discussed Album of 2017
10
#10 Most Shared Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 17
  3. Negative: 2 out of 17
  1. PopMatters
    Mar 16, 2017
    50
    At best, we have a middling collection of songs that are going to sound great in a packed arena. At worst, it’s a pretty significant step back from X, and once the initial novelty of its release wears off, it’s unlikely to enjoy the popular acclaim or the longevity of its predecessor.
    Read full review
  2. Q Magazine
    Mar 14, 2017
    60
    Listening to this third LP, you wonder if some of the good ones slipped through the cracks. [May 2017, p.102]
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Mar 10, 2017
    70
    As calculating as Sheeran can seem here, he understands there’s a fine line between universal and generic, which is why he gives his songs the idiosyncratic touches they need to stand out.
    Read full review
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