After spending more than a decade releasing albums with mathematical titles, Ed Sheeran’s latest album, “Autumn Variations,” is a breath of fresh fall air because this is the first of Sheeran’s albums that he released independently through his record label, A Gingerbread Man Records.
“Autumn Variations” focuses on a specific season of his life. In an interview with CBS, Sheeran said the album was created during the time his wife, Cherry Seaborn, who was pregnant with their second child, was diagnosed with cancer and when he lost his best friend Jamal Edwards.
“Autumn Variations” has the same folk-pop vibe that Sheeran is known for in previous works, like “Lego House” and “Give Me Love.” While Sheeran’s vocals are nothing to write home about, his guitar playing, songwriting and producing skills are what makes his music memorable.
The album opens up with “Magical,” which has a sweet guitar and strings playing throughout the track. Based on the lyrics, “Magical” feels like a tribute to Seaborn as he sings, “Is this how it feels to be in love / This is magical.” Listeners might feel as if they are wrapped up in the warm and inviting feeling of autumn.
The second track, “England,” is a more upbeat track that showcases Sheeran’s patriotism for his country. The song has a fresh feel to it like a theme song. However, this is Sheeran’s theme song to his life. For those who have never been to England, Sheeran gives a tour and history lesson of the country in the most creative and musical way possible through a song, instead of a long, boring lecture from a history class.
In contrast, “American Town” focuses on Sheeran and Seaborn’s experience in the United States. Sheeran sings to a fast and catchy beat about the romantic feeling of exploring a new place for the first time. The lyrics, “We get Chinese food in small white boxes / Live the life we saw in ‘Friends,’” give listeners a glimpse into Sheeran and Seaborn’s life before they settled down and had children. Additionally, some of the other ways the two adjusted to American life are drinking Moscow Mules while stealing cups from the Bowery Bar — super romantic.
“Plastic Bag” has a chill and fun vibe to it. From shot glasses to strobe lights, “Plastic Bag” details what to expect from a night out with Sheeran. The strongest part of this song is the catchy hook and chorus that is easy to follow.
Even though the album is “Autumn Variations,” one of the highlights is the track “Spring,” as it shows how difficult fall and winter were for him. Spring is sometimes seen as a new beginning for people, while winter can sometimes be a harsh time for others. To the strum of a slow guitar, Sheeran sings about how he was at a low point in his life, waiting for spring to come.
“Page” and “Punchline” are songs in which Sheeran goes into detail about his self-esteem. “Punchline” starts off slow, but leads to an intense finale with drums and a loud guitar. Sheeran sings about how he was once taken advantage of in a previous relationship and the impact it had on him. Sheeran repeats, “All I am is only flesh and bone / Why’s your heart so freezin’ cold,” with more feeling and emotion each time in his voice.
In “Page,” Sheeran delivers a powerful message and beautiful ballad about self-confidence. It is Sheeran’s self-awareness that makes this track memorable because some listeners might be on the same page as Sheeran when it comes to the journey of accepting oneself, as he reveals that it is something that he is continuing to work on.
The last song on this album, “Head > Heels,” is a romantic song, once again about his wife. But, this time, Sheeran reflects on how far their relationship has come. The slow electronic beat sets this song apart from some of the others on the album as most of them just have a guitar or piano playing. The slow beat adds another layer to the track making it even more special.
“Autumn Variations” is solid with a clear and concise theme of growth and repair. However, the strong storytelling does not save the album from being repetitive in some places. In previous albums like “÷” and “x,” Sheeran took more creative risks, while also staying close to his folk-pop style. “Autumn Variations” felt like most of the songs faded into each other with a few standout tracks. Overall, “Autumn Variations” shines in theme and concept, but the sound and production could have been more unique.
