The new year is off to a good start for Ed Sheeran fans with the surprise release of two new singles, “Shape of You” and “Castle on the Hill” from his upcoming album “Divide.”
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The singles came as a peace offering to fans after Sheeran’s agonizing year-long hiatus from social media and music. Despite the ache of his absence, it’s obvious Sheeran made good use of his time off and is ready to start 2017 in full swing. With two brand new songs and the announcement of a new album, fans are finally able to justify their Ed-less year.
Sheeran first teased fans when he posted a picture of a solid blue square to both his Twitter and Instagram accounts in early December. This kept fans guessing until the first of the year when he clarified via a Twitter video that he would be releasing new music shortly.
Days later he released two seven-second videos featuring lyrics from each new single, yet still no music. The final tease came Jan. 5 in the form of two more videos debuting the first ten seconds of each single, as well as a Snapchat filter where the first thirty seconds of “Shape of You” could be heard behind strobe lights and bright blue sunglasses.
Both songs in their entirety were released Jan. 6, and, considering the social media frenzy that ensued, were well-received by fans.
The first single, “Shape of You,” is an upbeat sure-to-be pop hit about finding love in a modern setting, with a beat that all but begs listeners to dance along.
The second, “Castle on the Hill,” is also upbeat. But in contrast to the light beat and blithe lyrics of “Shape of You,” Sheeran provides an edgier, energetic guitar anthem with the kind of intimate, nostalgic lyrics he’s known and loved for.
Compared to the two softer, romantic singles “Thinking Out Loud” and “Photograph,” from “Multiply,” it seems that fans can expect “Divide” to showcase a more lively, pop-driven side of Sheeran’s artistry than previously displayed.
However, that’s not to say the album will be any less successful. With a year of silence turned into a month long teaser campaign, fans are craving an album more than ever and if these two singles are any indication, it’s likely that “Divide” could be Sheeran’s best one yet.