Sheeran’s hits the high notes
IF ANYTHING, ED Sheeran’s new album, No. 6 Collaborations Project, does two things. It lets him show off his tremendous range. And it lets him show off his impressive rolodex.
A stunning who’s who of music’s top stars – including Cardi B, Justin Bieber, Travis Scott, Khalid, Eminem and Bruno Mars – appear on No. 6 Collaborations Project. The result is an understandably scattershot of styles – G-funk, grime, trap, R&B, tropical hip-hop, ballads, hair metal – but what knits it together is an impossibly high level of songwriting and an undeniable joy.
Sheeran seems to revel in playing with Migos effects (Skrrt!), rap with Eminem, sing in front of a horn section and be on a track with Cardi B purring Okurrr.
The title of the 15-track project is a nod to his 2011
No. 5 Collaborations Project, which saw Sheeran team up with UK rappers. This time, he welcomes everyone from H.E.R. to Paulo Londra, an artist from Argentina. If listeners go on to explore some of the lesser-known collaborators – like the brilliant rapper Dave – then everyone wins.
Standouts include Cross Me with Chance the Rapper and PNB Rock, Take Me Back to London with Stormzy and
Beautiful People with Khalid.
Despite all the collaborations, there are little touches that remind you it’s a Sheeran album. He’s still got that sad-sack, lovable misfit thing going on, despite earning acclaim and millions of bucks. Two songs – Beautiful People and I Don’t Care with Bieber – have Sheeran at a party where he feels he doesn’t belong. “I always feel like I’m nobody,” he sings.
One thing that has changed is that marriage seems to agree with Sheeran. If in the past, he was creeping a little in an ex’s DMS, the newly wed Sheeran has created an album awash with love messages to
new album (pictured, bottom right) is awash with love messages to his wife