• Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Oct 29, 2021
User Score
5.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 273 Ratings

User score distribution:
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  1. Nov 15, 2021
    3
    I honestly don't have much to say... only this: Ed Sheeran = Below average
    Why did i even bother??? It was not like i was expecting anything...
  2. Nov 11, 2021
    2
    why is he still doing this? it's not that his old music is bad, it just that it was never something that needed to be replicated, and yet here it is. for the third time.
  3. Nov 19, 2021
    0
    This is horrible, amen doubts is ed's worst album From Ed. It's a mess, the singles are pretty generic and work, but the album itself, discards
  4. Nov 19, 2021
    3
    After this album I stop listening to Ed, it's okay to maintain his music style. But this one?

    like pitchfork said, He’s settled into the comfort zone of songs that will haunt weddings for years to come. Kinda disappointed.
  5. Nov 9, 2021
    0
    One of the worst albums ever! Don't listen
  6. Nov 3, 2021
    0
    Music for grocery stores. This album is bland to the point of offensiveness. If you like this, then you you don't like music.
  7. 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 album but sadly i cant, chart driven album, it doesnt have any appeal, instead of evolving in every era, he devolves tragically.
  8. Nov 8, 2021
    1
    It's a wonder Sheeran has reached the heights he has when he puts out dull, pedestrian 'music' like this.

    As someone else remarked, he makes music for people that don't like {or at least appreciate} music.
  9. Oct 30, 2021
    1
    Equals is remarkable only in that is sets a new standard for musical blandness. Totally forgettable from beginning to end.
  10. Nov 4, 2021
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Bad, always the same sounds and style. He should taste new generes and give better music Expand
  11. Nov 5, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This album is boring like ed personality nothing new he just repeats himself Expand
  12. Oct 30, 2021
    1
    The best that can be said about Equals is that it is inoffensive. Absolutely nothing on the album is memorable or bears a second listen. Dreadful.
  13. Nov 2, 2021
    0
    bland songs, mathematically made for the charts with no flavor at all, just boring and no worth a full listen
  14. Nov 2, 2021
    0
    Unlike his previous albums, Equals (=) seems inauthentic and made solely for the charts. The songs are so generic and boring and lack an emotional appeal.
  15. Nov 2, 2021
    0
    Um álbum lixo de um homem lixo. julio do cocoricó continua lançando bombas nucleares e cadê as pessoas atacando ele? vergonha da humanidade
  16. Nov 2, 2021
    0
    Lo siento pero este se convierte en otro álbum monótono... no trae nada novedoso. Bad habits tiene un sonido básico y es sobrevalorado.
  17. Oct 31, 2021
    1
    His worst album ever. I’m so disappointed and mad about this. Everything sounds worse than his other albums and you can tell he doesn’t care anymore
  18. Oct 29, 2021
    1
    So +(plus ) is his best that's all i can say this is just ok! Nothing exciting
  19. Oct 29, 2021
    1
    Two or three good/okay songs, the rest is uninteresting. Ed comes back after such a long time and still does the same old thing. Boring and unoriginal. Dude even tried to ride The Weeknd's 80s wave with two or three songs and proved why Abel is superior. There are artists that do what he does but 10x better.
  20. Oct 29, 2021
    0
    es tan malo... no entiendo como le puede gustar a la gente de verdad ed tiene tan poca creativad, flop
  21. Oct 29, 2021
    3
    Acabo de escuchar el Álbum, se Siente la Misma Vibra que Sus Trabajos Anteriores, Lo único rescatable del Álbum Sería Su "Reinvención" en Bad Habits
  22. Oct 29, 2021
    0
    Another bland album by Ed Sheeran, It's like If It was written by a 5 year old kid.
  23. 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 same album with the same songs?
  24. Oct 29, 2021
    2
    Not very good, just very exhausting, boring, and old. It doesn’t intrigue me, its just like any other album of his.
  25. Oct 29, 2021
    1
    Ed Sheeran seems to get progressively less interesting and more dumbed down with every album he releases. Feels like an album made for people that don't like music.
  26. Oct 29, 2021
    0
    This is Ed Sheeran on cruise control. He has become the Jimmy Fallon of pop music. Sheeran's shtick is now a well-practiced formula with almost no risk or interesting new ideas. It's just rinse and repeat.
  27. Oct 29, 2021
    1
    Still the same. Still boring. I couldn't get through the whole record although I tried. Endless clichè
  28. Oct 29, 2021
    2
    This has to be one of the blandest albums ever. There is absolutely nothing special about this album. Vocals? Bland as anything (but listenable). Lyrics? Boring and lacking depth. Production? Mediocre at best. It's just so boring.
  29. Oct 30, 2021
    0
    Com melodias e letras que beiram ao tédio, o "artista" Ed Sheeran entrega mais um trabalho medíocre digno de pena.
    Os 5 fãs; que já não esperavam muito, considerando seu histórico; terão que fingir muito.
  30. Oct 29, 2021
    0
    Ele nunca vai se reinventar????? Ele faz a mesma música desde o início da carreira medilcre dele haha
  31. Oct 29, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Ed Sheeran es exitoso, pero no por música que valga la pena gastar dinero o darle stream. Este es uno de los peores álbumes de la ERA mainstream. No transmite nada, letras básicas y más de lo mismo. X y Divide son lo único bueno que tienen aunque ambos también tienen relleno. Simplemente un cantante sobrevalorado y sin chiste. Que te hace pensar menospreciar las actuaciones de los MTV del 2020 para que luego estés con una guitarra y una vestimenta de persona corriente. mejor que se reinvente o cambie de genero y experimente otros temas de que hablar en sus canciones. Expand
  32. Nov 2, 2021
    0
    Infelizmente, mais do mesmo. O Ed parece que não consegue evoluir musicalmente. Enquanto artistas femininas são versáteis o tempo inteiro ele continua enfadonho.
  33. Oct 30, 2021
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The Only Songs that really catched me were First Times and The Joker And The Queen. The rest kind of is what we always here from Ed. It's simple as always. It's like Divide. At most times I knew were the song was going just from listening the beginning. I really recommend "First Times" and "The Joker And The Queen" but that's it. 2 from 14 tracks. That's not much. And i would't even say these song were superior good. The second half was way more boring than the first. We have songs like "Collide", "2step", "Stop The Rain" and "Love In Slow Motion" which feel the same. The Opener "Tides" didn't got me at all. It had a loud start, had a quiet drop and than it got loud again. Hasn't there been an opening song with a similar concept this year? I think so... The closing track was a real missfit. Didn't really felt like it was over. I didn't really expect something new from Ed because since Bad Habits was the first single I was like, here we go again. Sorry Mr. Sheeran but you have to change your concepts a bit. Like all these female artists, doing it almost every album. Thank U Expand
  34. Oct 30, 2021
    0
    this album have very generic lyric with basic production and very boring!!! he dont know how to make music
  35. Oct 30, 2021
    0
    totalmente sem graça, esses últimos lançamentos dele estão ficando pior com o tempo.
  36. Oct 30, 2021
    0
    his music is not special anymore, he is playing for the charts and trying to make hit songs
  37. Oct 31, 2021
    0
    Underwhelming album. The past 2 albums have been such a letdown after the fantastic 'divide' album.
  38. Oct 30, 2021
    0
    Bland, unoriginal, and uninspired. Ed seems more interested in trying to make the most palatable, least common denominator, safe music that can do well on the charts than actually making music with artistic flare, personality, and uniqueness. His music has never been anything good, but at least albums like + had the personality of a small-town "bring home to your mom" guy at a party with aBland, unoriginal, and uninspired. Ed seems more interested in trying to make the most palatable, least common denominator, safe music that can do well on the charts than actually making music with artistic flare, personality, and uniqueness. His music has never been anything good, but at least albums like + had the personality of a small-town "bring home to your mom" guy at a party with a guitar charm with it. This is just a facade or perhaps parody of that personality, therefore stripping it of authenticity. I've seen interviews with Ed, and he speaks more about the success he desires and comparing himself to the success of artists like Elton John, Dua Lipa, and Adele rather than the music itself. I'm not surprised in how terrible and superficial this album is in the least. I just hope something traumatic happens to Ed so he may dig out some vulnerability to make his music at least somewhat genuine. Expand
  39. Nov 2, 2021
    0
    Me decepcionó por completo, jamás creí que tenían razón sobre ed Sheeran y su carrera. Otro álbum monótono y aburrido.
  40. Oct 30, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Un álbum realmente horrible con sonidos básicos y repetitivos urge retiro para ed pobre moda Expand
  41. Oct 30, 2021
    1
    The album has 2 or 3 songs that are the best, yet the whole project in general has not shown sound and musical evolution compared to the previous Ed Sheeran albums like '+' and '÷', which have something in common: a basic production with generic sounds that we had already heard from previous projects by other artists, something that I think Ed tried to imitate, but this time the formulaThe album has 2 or 3 songs that are the best, yet the whole project in general has not shown sound and musical evolution compared to the previous Ed Sheeran albums like '+' and '÷', which have something in common: a basic production with generic sounds that we had already heard from previous projects by other artists, something that I think Ed tried to imitate, but this time the formula did not work for him, it is a completely mediocre album. Expand
  42. Oct 30, 2021
    0
    Honestly this is the worst album of the year in my opinion. Very generic, awful vocals. Meh.
  43. Oct 30, 2021
    0
    Basic mainstream pop not worthy to listen. I wish he goes back to singing beautiful ballads
  44. Oct 31, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Ed Sheeran carefully constructed yet another album , this time his target is tiktok hits. But he is so blatant about it that the dishonesty is pouring out of it. Even a child can tell you this album doesn't have the "it" that makes us love music. Expand
  45. Nov 1, 2021
    0
    Chart-obsessed drab. Probably the most basic, lazy music you can make. His fan-base has grown up, but he isn’t maturing with them.
  46. Nov 6, 2021
    0
    Same old sound, nothing new. Skipped all songs and removed them from my playlist. Yuck sums this grabage up
  47. Oct 29, 2021
    1
    If ed sheeran is anything he is consistent. From his lovable good guy persona that feels very real to the ballads that rule wedding soundtracks. At that he hasn't failed. His songs fall into place predictably and the songs are easily digestible with acoustic guitars sharing 90% of the presence. But with this return to form are the same faults of before .

    His songwriting although direct
    If ed sheeran is anything he is consistent. From his lovable good guy persona that feels very real to the ballads that rule wedding soundtracks. At that he hasn't failed. His songs fall into place predictably and the songs are easily digestible with acoustic guitars sharing 90% of the presence. But with this return to form are the same faults of before .

    His songwriting although direct is terribly clichéd to a point of trolling. The nostalgic "first times" feels like a "+" outtake with better profuction and the unintentionally insincere "visiting hours" does so little with it's themes it might as well be a John Green book. And unfortunately those are the few highlights. The perfectly skippable "love in slow motion " is the "thinking out loud " sequel nobody (apart from his label) asked for.

    I will admit the record did disprove my fears of this being ed sheeran's poor man "After Hours" era after the historically disappointing "Bad Habit".

    "Shivers" is a higlight in a dark room. It has a gripping hook supported by a chorus only Ed could deliver. Also the conclusive "Be Right Now" ties the album together really well.

    This album is in no way a failure,it will definitely dominate charts and satisfy fans,but as one myself who also expects any form of growth in a musician's discography i remain disappointed. The ingenuity of "Don't " or experiments of "Gallway Girl" are forgotten answers to a test that i wish could just be filled in. The opening "Tides" doesn't try to be impressive but tells us as many other times on the record, "that im a father now". Even all his realisations and thoughts feel bored and dated. Is an intriguing moment possible? Not according to the cringefest that is " the joker &the queen" isn't worth describing. Just when you feel it couldn't get worse "sandman" tries to lull a baby to sleep but does so to the listener brave enough not to skip ,instead (based on the childlike xylophones alone ).

    This album arouses the same satisfaction "Lover" provided after the compelling "reputation ",leaving you wondering "umm...wtf ".

    I tried. I really did but you can add all the glitter and roses and gold to a wet pool of warm diahorreah and it will still be a **** . This is form four listens. The record could grow on me but currently i am disappointed. A 10/10 would not ~recommend~ touch with a 10ft pole.
    Expand
  48. Oct 29, 2021
    2
    I had high hopes for the album after Bad Habits. Nope. Another lazy, boring album from Ed and one decent song (being Bad Habits). Next.
  49. Nov 2, 2021
    0
    Absolute garbage................................................................
  50. Oct 31, 2021
    0
    Bland, Tasteless but what can you expect from a white guy that has never done anything other than generic songs over and over again. He makes one good song as a single and then just makes the rest so bland.
  51. Oct 30, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Ed cayó en lo mismo de siempre creo que necesita despertar y renovarse urgentemente Expand
  52. Oct 31, 2021
    0
    very bad album.
    My expectations were very low but I was still disappointed. The lyrics and the instrumental are very empty
  53. May 10, 2022
    0
    It's AOTY: Abortion Of The Year and I don't even need to hear it in full to come to this conclusion
  54. Jan 6, 2022
    1
    Instrumentally, it sounds not only outdated and awfully outside of Ed’s brand, but it’s also embarrassingly empty and kitsch. On =, Ed tries to open up about his recent experiences, mainly about his family life and big ego. Sadly, it doesn’t work out for him at the end. Before, it used to be cute and magical, but now it’s just tragical.
  55. Mar 30, 2023
    0
    how is this possible that his music is getting worse and worse, like it’s soo bad!
  56. Aug 7, 2022
    0
    Una porquería, musica pop basica hecha para ser escuchada en la radio y nada mas
  57. May 22, 2023
    0
    grotesco, achei triste esse álbum não tem nenhum tipo de tempero, completamente insosso
  58. May 8, 2023
    0
    This is Ed Sheeran at the most uninspired or most dissatisfying point of his career. He hit his peak long ago, and now all his music is as personal as if a toddler wrote ballads about toys. 'Equals' stands out for all the wrong reasons as the bargain bin album of 2021.
  59. May 21, 2023
    3
    Sabemos que esse é o estilo do Ed mas convenhamos, já saturou. A essa altura toda música dele soa com alguma já feita antes. Está precisando se arriscar e se reinventar
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 13
  2. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. 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. Nov 4, 2021
    70
    Here, Sheeran's melodies are soft yet insistent, and the production glistens with flair borrowed from younger, hipper artists who mine a similar blend of retro new wave and modern R&B, but he knows how to turn this stylish sound into something cozy and reassuring.
  3. Nov 2, 2021
    36
    He’s settled into the comfort zone of songs that will haunt weddings for years to come, like “2step,” in which he raps about “Two-steppin’ with the woman I love.” Even at his most passionate, Sheeran sounds as threatening as a meringue peak. ... Sheeran’s reliance on clichés is especially unfortunate during the album’s back half, which is where he placed a majority of the songs about death and fatherhood.