X: Ed Sheeran (Music)

X: Ed Sheeran.

X by Ed Sheeran, Atlantic, Los Angeles. ASIN: B00JKGYSAI

Track Listing:

1: One

2: I’m a Mess

3: Sing

4: Don’t

5: Nina

6: Photograph

7: Bloodstream

8: Tenerife Sea

9: Runaway

10: The Man

11: Thinking Out Loud

12: Afire Love

Summary

X is the second album from English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It sold 210,000 copies during its first week in the US and also debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 albums chart. (Caulfield, K. “Ed Sheeran’s ‘X’ Debuts At No. 1 On Billboard 200 Albums Chart.” Retrieved October 16^th, 2014 from http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6143242/ed-sheerans-x-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-200-albums-chart) Sheeran cowrote songs on X with Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol and Pharrell Williams, best known for his hit single “Happy.”

Like other singer-songwriters, Sheeran uses experiences and relationships in his life to inspire his songs. “Don’t,” and “Nina” are about past girlfriends, while “Tenerife Sea” and “Afire Love” is about his relationship with his mother and grandparents, respectively. Between the melancholic ballads of “One,” and “Photograph,” R&B inspired “Sing,” and “Runaway” give the album an upbeat feel. Romantic “Thinking Out Loud” rounds out the end of the album, while Sheeran’s rap skills are showcased on “The Man.”

Critical Evaluation

Some critics have called Sheeran the male Taylor Swift, and it’s easy to see the comparisons. Both Swift and Sheeran write all of their songs, have a laidback singer-songwriter style, and use past relationships as song material.  Although the songs are written from a male perspective, most teens can probably  relate to Sheeran’s emotions and lyrics.  The ballads on the album are beautiful, especially “Thinking Out Loud,” and “One.” The catchy hit single “Sing,” keeps the album from being too slow and while not all listeners enjoy rap, it is a nice surprise to hear Sheeran rap on several of his lyrics.

Sheeran is popular with teens of all ages, but X is probably better for older teens.  While it may be hard to notice at first listen, there are sexual verses, censored cuss words, and mentions of drugs and alcohol use. While Sheeran doesn’t outright promote the use of drugs or alcohol, it’s clear they still have an influence on him.  If parents can look past the controversial lyrics, X does make for an easy, laidback listen.

Reader’s Annotation

Between R&B inspired hits, romantic ballads, and rap lyrics, Ed Sheeran offers a little bit of everything on X.

About the Artist

“Ed Sheeran is blessed – he seems to know exactly where he is going, and exactly how to get there. Where countless others fail to make an impression amid today’s information overload, Ed’s music and talent cut straight through. He has a poise that is as welcome as it is unusual in someone so young. He’s both utterly self-assured but still charmingly open. He has a confidence that’s built not on being able to sing someone else’s song quite nicely on a teatime TV show, but on hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of gigs where it’s just him, his guitar, a loop pedal and a crowd.

Above all Ed’s got this voice with buckets of soul and these incredibly affecting songs that despite being played on acoustic guitar are far removed from the standard singer-songwriter fare. In fact, Ed’s songs are as informed by Jay-Z as much as they are by Damien Rice. They talk about the city he loves and the people in it and of it. They talk about the people made by it, and those damaged by it. They are about love and loss, but are also joyful when you need them to be. He is a unique talent whose combination of skills is frankly quite startling."

(“Ed Sheeran biography.” Retrieved October 17^th,   2014 from http://www.amazon.com/Ed-Sheeran/e/B001LHZOLG)

Genres

Music

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

N/A

Reading Level/Interest Age

15+

Grades 9+

Challenge Issues

Sexual lyrics

Mentions of drinking and smoking

Censored swear words.

Defense File

1—Ensure that policies such as “Freedom to Read,” “Collection Development,” and “Challenged Materials” are available for patrons and staff to read and research. Have list of awards and reviews for titles, as well as a “Reconsideration Form” on hand at all branches.

2—Listen to challenges and complaints openly and without judgment. Allow the patron to express their thoughts without inputting your own.

3—Have patron fill out reconsideration form. Provide information and background on challenge material’s author and title.  Forward reconsideration form to appropriate supervisors.

PPLD’s Challenge Materials Policy: http://ppld.org/challenged-materials-policy

PPLD’s Collection Development Policy: http://ppld.org/collection-development-policy

Why Included?

X is another strong album from Ed Sheeran and is popular in both the United States and the UK. Albums from male singer-songwriters would be a great diverse fit for library collections.