• Record Label: Elektra
  • Release Date: Jun 12, 2012
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 289 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 36 out of 289

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  1. Jun 8, 2023
    10
    Soft and crystal songs best for morning . This album shows deep life incident with acoustic in nature.
  2. May 12, 2023
    10
    This album is Ed Sheeran at his purest, producing excellent, thought provoking and personal music. Ed is able to delve into taboo topics such as prostitution and miscarriages, but still make these themes subtle. It took me a few listens of 'The A Team' to realise what they lyrics were actually saying, showing the excellence of the writing. There's a good reason this is my most listened toThis album is Ed Sheeran at his purest, producing excellent, thought provoking and personal music. Ed is able to delve into taboo topics such as prostitution and miscarriages, but still make these themes subtle. It took me a few listens of 'The A Team' to realise what they lyrics were actually saying, showing the excellence of the writing. There's a good reason this is my most listened to album of all time Expand
  3. Dec 9, 2022
    7
    A great debut album, definitely attraction gaining and interesting. The hooks are great, the melodies are excellent the use of instruments is very nice on some songs, and the album is very honest and direct.
    What downgrades the album is the mediocre songwriting (Give Me Love, The A Team and Small Bump are standouts). The songwriting aims mainly for teen love and is very generic overall, I
    A great debut album, definitely attraction gaining and interesting. The hooks are great, the melodies are excellent the use of instruments is very nice on some songs, and the album is very honest and direct.
    What downgrades the album is the mediocre songwriting (Give Me Love, The A Team and Small Bump are standouts). The songwriting aims mainly for teen love and is very generic overall, I wish we'd get more complexity.
    The production in good overall, but can be messy on some songs, and it's strongly felt on 'The City' which is a total downer. Vocals are fine, nothing crazy though.

    Favorite Tracks, respectively: The A Team, Give Me Love, You Need Me I Don't Need You, Lego House.
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  4. Nov 19, 2021
    7
    A good album to listen to when you're enjoying a relaxing day. I love the minimalist production and enjoy the lyrics and sounds. It is good to start a career.
  5. Aug 13, 2021
    10
    What can I say? 0:00, the debut of an incredible talented artist. The A Team, Give Me Love, Small Bump, Drunk, Lego House and Kiss Me are a must!
  6. Aug 31, 2020
    10
    Plus '+'' was a great debut album by Ed Sheeran, and deserved to be nominated for Song of the Year for 'The A Team and Best New Artist at the Grammys. some catchy tunes, along with the usual deep cuts
  7. Aug 30, 2020
    7
    Putting out a Debut album is a leap of faith; it can determine your entire career, and this album has certainly done that in a positive way for Ed. It made him a kid living on the streets to a house known name whose songs are played at nearly every young couples wedding. Even almost 10 years since it was released, it still sets high standards for his songs and musical style and for manyPutting out a Debut album is a leap of faith; it can determine your entire career, and this album has certainly done that in a positive way for Ed. It made him a kid living on the streets to a house known name whose songs are played at nearly every young couples wedding. Even almost 10 years since it was released, it still sets high standards for his songs and musical style and for many other Amateur songwriters. These songs give many nostalgia of a time where the world was only learning who Ed Sheeran was and and by surprise, what he’d do next. Expand
  8. Aug 30, 2020
    10
    His best album *chef's kiss*, it's a clear masterpiece and should be streamed on a daily basis. This album gives so many emotions and feelings. This is Ed's best, sincere and most original album.
  9. Apr 6, 2020
    7
    + by Ed Sheeran: 6.86

    The A Team: 1 Drunk: 1 U.N.I.: 0.75 Grade 8: 1 :) Wake Me Up: 0.5 Small Bump: 1! This: 0.75 The City: 1 :) Lego House: 0.75 You Need Me, I Don’t Need You: 1 :) Kiss Me: 0.5 Give Me Love: 0.5 Autumn Leaves: 0.75 Little Bird: 1 :) Gold Rush: 0.75 Sunburn: 1 13.25/16 ~ .828 -> I know some really hard-core Ed Sheeran fans, and hadn’t heard a lot
    + by Ed Sheeran: 6.86

    The A Team: 1
    Drunk: 1
    U.N.I.: 0.75
    Grade 8: 1 :)
    Wake Me Up: 0.5
    Small Bump: 1!
    This: 0.75
    The City: 1 :)
    Lego House: 0.75
    You Need Me, I Don’t Need You: 1 :)
    Kiss Me: 0.5
    Give Me Love: 0.5
    Autumn Leaves: 0.75
    Little Bird: 1 :)
    Gold Rush: 0.75
    Sunburn: 1

    13.25/16 ~ .828 ->

    I know some really hard-core Ed Sheeran fans, and hadn’t heard a lot of his music before earlier this year, when they played me some of his Divide stuff. I really liked the songs that I heard, so I decided to try his first album, +. I was really happy with what I heard. I mostly listen to rock and roll music, so it was nice and refreshing to listen to some acoustic songs. At least, it was nice at first, but that type of music got a little repetitive. Luckily, Ed Sheeran is really, really good at writing lyrics, to his credit. This got to the point where it didn’t matter if the music sounded similar; the lyrics were different enough to where it was fine, as the songs had different subjects. The imagery he creates and the word choice he uses make + really fun to listen to. I had a great time listening to Ed Sheeran’s first album, and would recommend this album to everyone who enjoys really good music. I am looking forward to his next albums. Highlights: The A Team, Drunk, Grade 8, Small Bump, The City, You Need Me, I Don’t Need You, Little Bird, and Sunburn.
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  10. Feb 14, 2020
    8
    I couldn't say it's the most versatile album I could hear. They are solid songs, and with heart compositions and this brings their best moment. Each track has its peaks, and continues at its peak until the end not making the track go generic. Ed was made by that kind of music.
  11. Jul 28, 2019
    5
    I think this was Ed's most boring solo project. A couple good tracks, a classic like Give Me Love, but overall it just seemed like a big mixed bag and incohesive.
  12. Jul 6, 2018
    10
    One of the best pop albums of all time. It is extremely emotional, and has a wide variety of songs, with some being slow and sad, while others upbeat and fun. It hits right with extremely deep lyrics in songs like "The A Team" and "Wake Me Up". The other songs are just fun, such as "Grade 8" and "You Need Me, I Don't Need You". An incredible album, and almost everything is a must listen.
  13. Oct 9, 2017
    8
    This is one of the better introductory albums I’ve ever heard. While some songs like This and The City may be forgettable, they are easily outshined by the better songs on this album, namely Lego House, Kiss Me, and the absolutely beautiful The A Team. Most of the album uses acoustic instrumentation (with a few surprisingly credible hip-hop inspired tracks), so if that bothers you, justThis is one of the better introductory albums I’ve ever heard. While some songs like This and The City may be forgettable, they are easily outshined by the better songs on this album, namely Lego House, Kiss Me, and the absolutely beautiful The A Team. Most of the album uses acoustic instrumentation (with a few surprisingly credible hip-hop inspired tracks), so if that bothers you, just know that going in. However, this is no ordinary “white guy with acoustic guitar.” He has clever and often meaningful lyrics, and he has an incredible voice. Definitely worth checking out. Expand
  14. Mar 5, 2017
    10
    the album is great. It has lots of memorable songs in it like for example the a team. His voice is beautiful and he is incredibly talented. his lyrics are nearly perfect.
  15. Jan 20, 2017
    9
    Such an amazing voice and such good songs. Well produced and nice lyrics that are easy to keep up with! Really enjoyed the whole album and looking forward to listening to his next one.
  16. Apr 26, 2016
    9
    Classic album! His songs are really chilling and relaxing. "Give Me Love", "The A Team" and "Lego House" I think is one of the best songs I've heard on this album. It's so beautiful and lovely! It's such a charming album
  17. Jan 24, 2016
    3
    Truly overrate a true bore not as bad as some albums I have reviewed but note something I would listen to again and it isn't something I would recommend to anyone.
  18. Jun 27, 2015
    10
    Meaningful songs lyrics with great tunes. This album is just.. perfect! It has got emptional songs, intense songs, rap, rock and entertain songs!!! The great Ed sheeran!!!
  19. Sep 8, 2014
    10
    The album is just so perfect. His voice is so unique and makes u want to hear it 24/7. And I love the fact that he goes for a more acustic sound yet he manage to do upbeat songs like "You Need Me, I Don't Need You". Ed sure is such a talented musician and I can´t wait to hear more about him.
  20. Jun 27, 2014
    8
    An excellent debut album that has lyrics so wonderful and creative. A lot feelings of love and pain. Ed Sheeran is one of the best songwriter of UK. Its all.
  21. Jun 24, 2014
    9
    Ed Sheeran's "+" is the perfect album to listen to when you're enjoying relaxing day. It's definitely one of my favorite albums out there and I can't wait to see what Ed does with his next album.
  22. Jun 21, 2014
    10
    Amazing Album, Amazing Songs and an Amazing Artist. Legohouse was obviously the highlight of this record I hope to see more of this artist in the future
  23. Apr 14, 2014
    7
    While Ed fails in changing a little of rhythm and structure in his songs, he makes it up in voice and style that mixes pop-acoustic melodies with indie folk gritty-but-soft-voiced tunes and cool semi raps. It's an above-the-average album but needs something more to be considered a great piece. Anyway, there's a solid basis to keep on working out.
  24. Nov 17, 2013
    9
    Sheeran is talented as hell, that's for sure. His songwriting is like the male version of Taylor Swift in the sense that it's just so smooth and personal. The story is simple and very easy to relate to. "The A Team" opens up the album perfectly while "Give Me Love" is the perfect closing number. The only thing that keeps me from giving a 10 is the production of two tracks: "U.N.I." andSheeran is talented as hell, that's for sure. His songwriting is like the male version of Taylor Swift in the sense that it's just so smooth and personal. The story is simple and very easy to relate to. "The A Team" opens up the album perfectly while "Give Me Love" is the perfect closing number. The only thing that keeps me from giving a 10 is the production of two tracks: "U.N.I." and "The City". If these two were meats, I'd say they're undercooked and slightly bland; especially when served together with the other tracks. Expand
  25. Nov 7, 2013
    6
    Although in most moments Ed seems a bit boring, normal and without unattractive, over the course of the journey he uses this to his favor. And that just shows us less generic than it appears.
  26. Jul 20, 2013
    8
    If you can excuse the often cheesy lyrics and subject matter, Sheeran has provided a memorable and surprisingly emotional album filled to the brim with tearjerker moments and goosebumps-worthy vocals.
  27. Apr 4, 2013
    8
    Álbum brilhante que fala sobre amor e vida real de um modo muito angelical, sem contar o vocal brilhante desse britânico.
    As músicas tem um toque de verdade, que fazem com que você se apaixone instantaneamente, querendo ouvir esse CD que parece simples, mas na verdade tem muito "+".
    Destaque para: The A Team, Drunk e Lego House.
  28. Mar 16, 2013
    10
    Ed Sheeran is my favorite artist. He sings so beautifully and has true talent. I love this album so much. All the songs on this album are really good. I can't wait for his next album, I hope its as great as this one.
  29. Jan 4, 2013
    7
    The songs are good for a nice evening when you feel like doing nothing, the sound is relaxing and the lyrics come as a story told by your mother before going to bed. On the whole I liked the album "+" a lot but I do agree that the songs are too much alike and sometimes it might feel like the lyrics are a little childish. Although Ed Sheeran is a great performer and has a beautiful voice soThe songs are good for a nice evening when you feel like doing nothing, the sound is relaxing and the lyrics come as a story told by your mother before going to bed. On the whole I liked the album "+" a lot but I do agree that the songs are too much alike and sometimes it might feel like the lyrics are a little childish. Although Ed Sheeran is a great performer and has a beautiful voice so in concerts he might change a little the lyrics and the sound of some songs. Favorite songs: Give Me Love and You Need Me I Don't Need You
    Also I expect a lot more from his next album since he has a huge potential and I think we are going to hear a lot from this ginger lad in the next years.
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  30. Dec 26, 2012
    10
    Great album!nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 9
  2. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Jun 18, 2012
    83
    Gentle standouts like "The A Team" and "Small Bump" cast a quieter spell. [22 Jun 2012, p.64]
  2. Q Magazine
    Sep 28, 2011
    80
    Fresh-faced wunderkind aces his debut. [Oct 2011, p.118]
  3. Sep 23, 2011
    50
    + will give Sheeran's rabid fanbase a lot to love, but it'll also make him an easy target for critics hungry for new directions in pop, as it fails to really gel the man's loves of folk and rap.