Singer song-writer Ed Sheeran’s latest album, provided listeners with 16 new folk-pop songs to listen to, each with sincere messages. The detail and execution put into each song as well as the departure from his usual love ballads earns ‘Divide’ a 4.5/5.

The main thing Sheeran has going for him in this album is his authenticity and the subjects of his songs. The folk-pop singer is well known for his ballads about love and heartbreak, but in ‘Divide’ sings of a broader range of subjects. In the opening number ‘Eraser,’ he sets the precedent for this as he sing-raps of his experiences with fame. The next song ‘Castle on the Hill’ provides a sharp contrast to his view of his present by transporting the listener back to his childhood in the british countryside, as he reminisces on his friendships and escapades. In ‘Supermarket Flowers,’ Sheeran wrote about the passing of his grandmother from the point of view of his mother, and ‘Bibia be ye ye,’ Sheeran sings in a Ghana dialect. Many more of his stories deal with elements outside of his traditional love sings, and contribute to a much more relatable and authentic feel for the album.

Sheeran does sing about love, however, and does it well. In more vulnerable songs such as ‘Happier,’ the song follows him post-breakup, and is unique in a realm of pop songs that often blame the other party for the romance’s demise as he acknowledges his own mistakes in their relationship. He provides more upbeat songs like ‘Shape of you,’ which was the debut single for the album and quickly rose on the charts.

Sheeran’s return to music gave the world another one of his remarkable albums that employed folksy acoustics and a raw voice that would leave the listener impressed. His authenticity in his songs as well as his ability to convey messages in his songs that did not only revolve around love was a break from his traditional pattern, but one that payed off well as ‘Divide’ was a massive success.