Ed Sheeran’s sophomore album was released on June 21, 2014 and didn’t disappoint. He followed his album + that had a hit single, The A Team, with x. The album peaked at number 1 on The Billboard 200 albums. Also, the album had a #2 hit in Thinking Out Loud, Don’t peaked at #9, Photograph peaked at #10, Sing at #13, Afire Love at #37, and One at #87. Ed Sheeran surprisingly did not have a #1 hit until his most recent album which had two #1 hits in Shape of You and Perfect. Below I will rank the songs from worst to best.
15. Even My Dad Does Sometimes
The song feels like a filler track. The song sounds like every one of his other songs and has no distinguishing sound. Not Ed Sheeran’s finest work.
14. I’m A Mess
I’m A Mess is a simple song with simple lyrics and is self-explanatory for the reason for making the song. Not a terrible song but it is something that I would have kept off the album.
13. Shirtsleeves
Shirtsleeves is a pretty good song. Initially when I listened to the song I put it at #15 but I decided to move it up the list because of its lyrics and its instrumental parts.
12. Take It Back
Take It Back is a rap/sing song that Ed Sheeran did a pretty good job with. One of the reasons Ed Sheeran is amazing is because he is so talented. In Take It Back he quickly sings his life story and I think that it is awesome. I recommend checking this song out if you want to hear a different side of Ed Sheeran.
11. Bloodstream
Bloodstream is a relatively undiscovered Ed Sheeran track. I first heard Ed Sheeran perform this song at The Grammys and was instantly wowed. In my opinion another essential Ed Sheeran song.
10. Afire Love
Afire Love peaked at #37 on Billboard’s Hot 100 but I had never heard it before. I was surprised when reviewing this album when I saw how high it reached on the charts. I now see why it reached to the 37th spot. Afire Love has a different feel than other Ed Sheeran tracks and I think it may have to do with the absence of Ed’s guitar which is the basis of many of his hit songs.
9. Nina
Nina is a great track with a great piano and guitar. This is a characteristic song for Ed Sheeran but still a great song. Nina is another song that tells a story through song and is an essential song for an Ed Sheeran fan.
8. One
One is the opening track of x and showcases Ed’s voice and guitar ability. It is a beautiful love song where he wants you to know that you are the only one.
7. The Man
The Man is the second and last song where he raps/sings. In my opinion it is the better of the two. I accidently found this song when I was listening to undiscovered tracks. This song is worththe 4 minutes and 10 seconds it takes to listen to it from start to finish.
6. Runaway
Runaway is another song where he showcases his voice, ability to write lyrics, and play the guitar. Runaway has a catchy chorus and will have you singing along right away.
5. Sing
Sing is a catchy and repetitive song but a good kind of repetitive. The song is catchy, upbeat, and very different the other Ed Sheeran songs which makes it good.
4. Tenerife Sea
I don’t understand how Tenerife Sea didn’t make it into the Billboard Charts. The song has it all, and I mean it all! Tenerife Sea is the definition of hidden gem. I’m so glad I found this song and if it weren’t for the other great songs on this album it would have easily been number 1.
3. Photograph
Photograph is an amazing song that showcases two lovers who live far away from each other and preserve their love through a photograph. It is another essential Ed Sheeran song that most people have heard.
2. Don’t
Don’t could be classified as a rap/sing type of song. The song is absolutely amazing, the beat, the guitar, and the way he projects his lyrics is simply remarkable. I personally know all the words to this song so that must mean it is a good song.
1. Thinking Out Loud
Another song that leaves me confused on how it didn’t reach the number 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100. The song is an Ed Sheeran classic and got tons of radio-play which was well deserved. All I can say about this song is that it may be Ed Sheeran’s greatest song (to date) and if you haven’t heard it then you have been off the grid since June 21, 2014 when the album came out.
Ed Sheeran’s x is well worth the purchase. Even if you aren’t a big fan of modern pop; I think you will still enjoy this album from start to finish. A few songs I believe could have been left off the album but all and all an excellent album. This album really put Ed Sheeran on the map which set him up to his great success when releasing his most recent album. I’d give this album a 4.4/5 stars only because of those filler tracks that I think should have been left off but still an amazing collection of songs.