Equals
by Ed Sheeran
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Oct 29, 2021
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
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  1. musicOMH.com
    Dec 16, 2021
    60
    If you’re a fan, you’ll still be a fan and if you’re not, you still won’t be.
  2. The Observer (UK)
    Nov 1, 2021
    60
    Equals tilts heavily into contentment and maturity, including an obligatory lullaby – Sandman – for his little one. Nice Ed gains the upper hand, with a commensurate loss in musical interest.
  3. Rolling Stone
    Oct 29, 2021
    60
    He’s equally rooted in old-school melody and beat-derived new-century songwriting. In its best moments, = brings together those two worlds. ... Yet as genuinely in love as he appears, his devotional songs tend to bog down in generalized sentiments and gooier melodies.
  5. Clash Music
    Oct 29, 2021
    60
    Unashamedly broad, it can lack detail and punch; yet ‘=’ has something about it that is difficult to shrug off, while being hard to truly relate to.
  6. The Independent (UK)
    Oct 28, 2021
    60
    He avoids turning the songs on this album into as much of a box-ticking exercise as they felt on earlier records, managing to weave influences in with a little more flair.
  7. The Guardian
    Oct 28, 2021
    60
    = settles for gently nudging at the boundaries of what he’s known for, most notably on the opening Tides, which thunders along, driven by distorted guitars and double-time drums, and closer Be Right Now, which arrives unexpectedly welded to a Giorgio Moroder-ish synth line. As a result, whatever you already think about Sheeran, = isn’t going to alter it, and neither will a critic’s review.
  8. New Musical Express (NME)
    Oct 28, 2021
    60
    ‘=’ adds up to another album on which Sheeran comes off like a millennial Lionel Richie – namely, a very gifted singer-songwriter who’s sometimes sunk by his saccharine streak.
  9. The New York Times
    Oct 29, 2021
    50
    Ultimately, “=” neither adds to nor subtracts from the trusty formula for success that he long ago worked out. It is the sleek sound of stasis.
  10. Consequence
    Oct 29, 2021
    50
    It’s settled, comfortable, and a bit too repetitive. It’s inoffensive, which is perhaps worst of all. Equals commits the greatest sin of pop music: it just isn’t very interesting.

Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Most Discussed Album of 2021

User Reviews

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User Score
5.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 273 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 136 out of 273
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 273
  3. Negative: 103 out of 273
  1. doroteta
    Oct 30, 2021
    10
    It’s so personal and incredible. He could give us old sounds from + like first times, and such great tunes out of his comfort zone likeIt’s so personal and incredible. He could give us old sounds from + like first times, and such great tunes out of his comfort zone like sandman or stop the rain. Love it, so worth it.… Full Review »
  2. downjeth
    Oct 30, 2021
    2
    his music doesn't feel authentic anymore, to be fair there are 1 or 2 tracks that stands out, but overall, i tried my best to enjoy the albumhis music doesn't feel authentic anymore, to be fair there are 1 or 2 tracks that stands out, but overall, i tried my best to enjoy the album but sadly i cant, chart driven album, it doesnt have any appeal, instead of evolving in every era, he devolves tragically.… Full Review »
  3. shameIess
    Oct 29, 2021
    0
    Ed Sheeran has four albums, but as we can see, the only difference between them is the number. Doesn't he get tired of always making the sameEd Sheeran has four albums, but as we can see, the only difference between them is the number. Doesn't he get tired of always making the same album with the same songs?… Full Review »
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