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Ed Sheeran's 'Castle On The Hill,' 'Shape Of You': EW Review

Ed Sheeran surprised everyone in 2014 with his second album, x, that totally ditched the so-cute-you-just-wanna-squeeze-him romantic fans met on his 2011 debut. In place of bleeding-heart ballads, he swapped in songs like "Don't," an explicit dig at an ex for cheating, and "The Man," a rap-style confession where he revealed his hard drinkin', heavy smokin' ways. Now, the pop-wise folkie evolves again, with two singles off his upcoming third LP, though it's not immediately clear where he's headed.

May 1, 2025 · 1 min · 74 words · Anne Pope

Thats not something every artist can pull off, but with these two tunes, he sells it.

When I was six years old I broke my leg, he croons.

I was running from my brother and his friends.

Ed Sheeran at East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) gala dinner - London

Credit: John Stillwell/PA Wire

Sheeran isnt just aiming for the arena nosebleeds, though.

Perhaps not surprisingly, this tune wasoriginally intended for Rihanna, and Sheeran ended up keeping it for himself.

Castle on the Hill:B+

Shape of You:B+