Unpacking Ed Sheeran’s ‘Subtract’: What to Expect

Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran, a superstar singer-songwriter, has never been shy about expressing his emotions through music. However, Sheeran claims that his new album, Subtract, takes him into “different territory.” Subtract departs from the playful moods of his previous records, presenting a more mature, somber Sheeran. This fifth album in his mathematics series is a significant departure, with sad and emotional moods dominating the sound.

What to Expect From Ed Sheeran’s Subtract

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Ed Sheeran’s Subtract is a new album of its kind. The 14-track album drifted from the usual Ed Sheeran’s love theme song. While some of his most popular songs, like “Thinking Out Loud,” “Shape of You,” and “Perfect,” are romantic, Subtract, on the other hand, is more about sadness, loss, regret, depression, and fear. The 14-track album sounds a lot like”A Team,” with the lyrical singer returning to his roots. The emotional upheaval is caused by the loss of a friend and a difficult period in his marriage.

The lyrics on Subtract are unmatched, with his delivery of meticulously detailed music and the preservation of honest, personal words. The album was produced by Aaron Dessner of The National, who also worked on Taylor Swift’s “Folklore” and “Evermore” albums. Ed Sheeran takes us into his world with this album, which serves as an outlet for his emotions and feelings.

The moods on this album are very different from those on his other albums. This measurable mood shift shows how Sheeran’s personal tragedies influenced his music, resulting in a more mature and introspective sound.  Subtract, released on May 5th, 2o23, is very different from his earlier work, which was often full of youthful energy and fun moods.

Tracks From Subtract 

“Boat”

The album’s first track, “Boat,” is a monologue with a melancholy tone. The song features weather-related concepts indicating his struggles.  Sheeran’s voice aches with sadness as he sings over a simple acoustic guitar, but as the lyrics progress, he realizes that, while the pain lingers, there is still hope (“The waves won’t break my boat”).

“Saltwater”

This track makes listeners sit up because it has a much darker tone with the metaphorical words “saltwater.” It offers moments of liberation as well as imagery of dark contemplation for the artist to explore beyond life. The artist later abandons those thoughts as the lyrics “It was just a dream” are repeated.

“Eyes closed”

The upbeat tempo in “Eyes Closed” can be deceptive to the listener because it gives the impression that all is well. The song, which features a consistently picked guitar and amazing wordplay, pays homage to the singer’s friend Jamal Edwards. The symbolism represents both feelings of loss and an attempt to move forward.

“Life goes on”

 Ed Sheeran’s voice on this track shows how he really feels; when he talks about his fear of losing his woman, it gets rough. The unimaginable pain of losing his wife, Cherry Seaborn, is palpable, and his words serve as a plea to her to get better.

“End of Youth”

“End of Youth” captures the singer’s lowest point, with feelings of hopelessness present. In the song, the artist thinks about his own death and how he is trying to fill the void with wine. The chorus sounds like a cry for help, making it the most brutally honest song on the album.

“Curtains”

The song “Curtains” features electric guitar lines and an upbeat tone, representing the singer’s transition from a dark emotional state. “Let me see the sunshine” is repeated throughout the song, indicating a much brighter mood.

“No Strings”

“No Strings” is a beautiful love song with piano and Ed Sheeran. The beautiful lyrics stand out because the song is so simple: “It’s no strings, you’re who I love/And that won’t change when we’re falling apart.” This represents an everlasting love.

Hills of Aberfeldy

Sheeran pays tribute to Celtic traditional folk by depicting snow-covered hills and frozen water in the Scottish town. His voice soars like a bard, perfectly capturing a tender acoustic love song. The song’s final ending allows listeners to fully reflect on the album Subtract.

Wrapping Up: Brief Ed Sheeran’s Biography 

Ed Sheeran, a singer/songwriter, started playing guitar and writing songs early in life. After moving to London as a teenager to pursue music, he released several EPs and performed hundreds of times. Ed Sheeran was No. 1 on iTunes before signing with a record label. Since signing with Atlantic, Ed Sheeran has sold millions of records and won a lot of awards. His latest album, Subtract, is a new version of him where he pours out his struggles and emotions. 

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