Equals
by Ed Sheeran
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Oct 29, 2021
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
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  1. Gummer
    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. joe_m6
    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. lwtos
    Nov 2, 2021
    4
    Kinda missed Ed Sheeran here... Although the album has some good moments too.
  4. Anticaio
    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
  5. earlgreyrelief
    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.
  6. ishunirania23
    Nov 9, 2021
    0
    One of the worst albums ever! Don't listen
  7. boilingboy1
    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.
  8. 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 album but sadly i cant, chart driven album, it doesnt have any appeal, instead of evolving in every era, he devolves tragically.
  9. lenny68
    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.
  10. lennycliff123
    Oct 30, 2021
    1
    Equals is remarkable only in that is sets a new standard for musical blandness. Totally forgettable from beginning to end.
  11. AdrianRL
    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
  12. Tara22
    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
  13. allisonjane65
    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.
  14. saulf
    Nov 2, 2021
    0
    bland songs, mathematically made for the charts with no flavor at all, just boring and no worth a full listen
  15. Cbhammond
    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.
  16. elimt999
    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
  17. rosaborjasnunez
    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.
  18. DequanJdfh
    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
  19. Devendra
    Oct 29, 2021
    1
    So +(plus ) is his best that's all i can say this is just ok! Nothing exciting
  20. plw_
    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.
  21. tiagooo19
    Oct 29, 2021
    0
    es tan malo... no entiendo como le puede gustar a la gente de verdad ed tiene tan poca creativad, flop
  22. jeremycastillo
    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
  23. pappagalli
    Oct 29, 2021
    0
    Another bland album by Ed Sheeran, It's like If It was written by a 5 year old kid.
  24. 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 like sandman or stop the rain. Love it, so worth it.
  25. 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 same album with the same songs?
  26. Animadoria
    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.
  27. FallOutTheDisco
    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.
  28. Arenshi
    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.
  29. Pioter510
    Oct 30, 2021
    10
    It is good album, my early favourites are first times and Tides. It is different from other albums
  30. theserenekiller
    Oct 29, 2021
    1
    Still the same. Still boring. I couldn't get through the whole record although I tried. Endless clichè
  31. Coppeddem
    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.
  32. Diego_Galindo
    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.
  33. Guingster
    Oct 29, 2021
    0
    Ele nunca vai se reinventar????? Ele faz a mesma música desde o início da carreira medilcre dele haha
  34. josebutera1989
    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
  35. RillGama23
    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.
  36. emcritic29
    Oct 29, 2021
    7
    sheeran is really trying to experiment with new sounds, with some interesting results; however the ballads are where he shines most, and the near absence of them on this record isn’t only disappointing but deeply surprising, given the lukewarm reception of his predecessor.
    all that considered, when equals works, it’s a brilliantly produced piece of music.
  37. mcgowantrevor
    Oct 29, 2021
    4
    Ed Sheeran takes a step away from the soft, acoustic, heart-wrenching and organic-sounding tones that he had previously been known for in his earlier releases.
    The album in many moments, sounds to have very non-creative lyrics;
    “When it was all over, I cleared out the room Grabbed a couple beers, just me and you Then we started talking the way that we do” -Track 3, First Times It sounds    Ed Sheeran takes a step away from the soft, acoustic, heart-wrenching and organic-sounding tones that he had previously been known for in his earlier releases.
    The album in many moments, sounds to have very non-creative lyrics;
    “When it was all over, I cleared out the room
    Grabbed a couple beers, just me and you
    Then we started talking the way that we do”
    -Track 3, First Times
    It sounds almost lazy, but not quite.
    while there were more emotional pieces like The Joker and the Queen, and Visiting Hours- the rest of the album nearly failed to capture much of any feelings.
    = (Equals) seems to be the leftovers of his previous studio album, ÷ (Divide), which was decent at best.
    4/10    … Expand
  38. Leo748
    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
  39. RezaDonna
    Oct 30, 2021
    0
    this album have very generic lyric with basic production and very boring!!! he dont know how to make music
  40. Touchking
    Oct 30, 2021
    0
    totalmente sem graça, esses últimos lançamentos dele estão ficando pior com o tempo.
  41. yosrege
    Oct 30, 2021
    0
    his music is not special anymore, he is playing for the charts and trying to make hit songs
  42. Lifeiscurvy
    Oct 31, 2021
    0
    Underwhelming album. The past 2 albums have been such a letdown after the fantastic 'divide' album.
  43. lukascabahug
    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
  44. zebraqz
    Nov 2, 2021
    0
    Me decepcionó por completo, jamás creí que tenían razón sobre ed Sheeran y su carrera. Otro álbum monótono y aburrido.
  45. Steven18
    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
  46. Mangelrep
    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
  47. Jpabloallin
    Oct 30, 2021
    0
    Honestly this is the worst album of the year in my opinion. Very generic, awful vocals. Meh.
  48. blackintogold
    Oct 30, 2021
    0
    Basic mainstream pop not worthy to listen. I wish he goes back to singing beautiful ballads
  49. GodBlood
    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
  50. Jballard
    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.
  51. JEMR
    Oct 29, 2021
    4
    Good effort but it still feels lazy from Sheeran, doesn't he want to do better? Maybe he is not able to - after so many bland albums...
  52. Asustouch
    Nov 6, 2021
    0
    Same old sound, nothing new. Skipped all songs and removed them from my playlist. Yuck sums this grabage up
  53. DramaManiac
    Oct 31, 2021
    5
    Just decent. However, like any Ed Sheeran's album, it contains boring and same/similar patterns of music.
  54. All_ButTrU4
    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
  55. ravenvenom
    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.
  56. Lotto1999
    Oct 30, 2021
    10
    É um album muito bem produzido, gostei que ele saiu um pouco da zona de conforto. Espero que continue inovando.
  57. Menios
    Oct 29, 2021
    4
    The bar is already set too low. Even in this way, Ed Sheeran's new album cannot reach it.
  58. faaaaabiaaaaan
    Oct 30, 2021
    1
    Lo mismo de siempre
  59. Abhipsa0824
    Oct 29, 2021
    10
    This album is a rollercoaster of emotion and more importantly Ed Sheeran's best album lyrically to date. What does this album does so well is that tells different stories, his worries, hopes and what is his perception of life at the age of 30. I love that Ed has experimented with different kind of sounds throughout the album and not doing what one would expect out of him. There has beenThis album is a rollercoaster of emotion and more importantly Ed Sheeran's best album lyrically to date. What does this album does so well is that tells different stories, his worries, hopes and what is his perception of life at the age of 30. I love that Ed has experimented with different kind of sounds throughout the album and not doing what one would expect out of him. There has been put great deal of detailing into the sound and production of this album but not like in your face, the subtlety of the production fits perfectly with his writing....Also you would have to real dumb if you thought Bad Habits was a weekend rip off coz bad habits has a 4/4 edm beat meaning its literally is pop edm and thats nowhere near what The Weekend did on After Hours and an actual music reviewer making this comparison is genuinely laughable and embarrassing.… Expand
  60. jimmypowder
    Nov 2, 2021
    0
    Absolute garbage................................................................
  61. l_l-Mist-l_l
    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.
  62. GhostKing
    Oct 29, 2021
    10
    Album is near perfect. A mix of fast paced songs and slow songs. Each one special in their own way. 10/10
  63. JamesWilly
    Oct 29, 2021
    10
    Awesome ! This album is so **** amazing. Ed Sheeran fell in love
  64. alfabetoboy
    Oct 30, 2021
    10
    Another masterpiece from mr Sheeran. Amazing album from beginning to end! Loved it!
  65. Xear
    Oct 30, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. it’s amazing album !! And I wanna say that to the people who still miss his old songs ,and old Ed who writes about break up, alcohol and just how sad he is. U will never find such person is not exists anymore! He is happy and has a family right!… Expand
  66. Mrmaster
    Oct 30, 2021
    10
    It is just wonderful ! Thanks Ed. I really enjoy listening to it. My favourite track is shivers
  67. cotechs
    Oct 30, 2021
    10
    wonderful album, sounds really different from what he's done before. it definitely shows ed's songwriting abilities.
  68. Freewoman13
    Oct 30, 2021
    10
    Um álbum simplesmente autêntico, Ed sempre traz histórias pessoais de uma forma em que todo o público possa de identificar. Emoção a flor da pele do começo ao fim, incrível é a palavra.
  69. Hope05
    Oct 30, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The best' album of the year It gives me add "+"vibes
    Ed never disappoints.    … Expand
  70. paszk87
    Oct 30, 2021
    10
    "Equals" is Ed's most personal and heartfelt album with hits that fans of new and old will get a kick out of.
  71. Segundoleo26
    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
  72. Esteban12
    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
  73. biarezende28
    Oct 29, 2021
    10
    Amazing album! Ed is a great singer and songwriter and this album shows that. You can travel trough his life when you listen to this se songs
  74. Alpha66
    Oct 30, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This album is an amazing coming of age album for Ed. All the milestones in his life and where he is at in life is beautifully painted in this album. Turning 30,becoming a father, loss of a close friend, experiencing grief for the first time. The themes really hit home for me. Visting Hours is such a heartbreaking song. There is a song called "First Times"on this album which is classic Sheeran, very acoustic with violins in the background which I loved. The joker and the Queen might be the best ballad hes ever written so much vulnerability and soul in the song. Sandman is another standout which is a track dedicated to his daughter and it too cute and wholesome, it might be the best lullaby of all time. 2step is another banger,which brings back "rapper ed" or singing fast lyrics ed which is a signature style he cultivated .Overall I love this album so much. Thank you Ed for your art… Expand
  75. Clacol
    Oct 29, 2021
    10
    Excellent album. There’s a song for every mood. This is a new sound but he gives old fans throwbacks with rap but entertains with new musical arrangements. His lyrics prove he’s grown as a musician and has learnt to appreciate his success whilst not forgetting where comes from. He’s also become a father and it’s clear it has changed his perspective of the world.

    Ed is an excellent    Excellent album. There’s a song for every mood. This is a new sound but he gives old fans throwbacks with rap but entertains with new musical arrangements. His lyrics prove he’s grown as a musician and has learnt to appreciate his success whilst not forgetting where comes from. He’s also become a father and it’s clear it has changed his perspective of the world.

    Ed is an excellent musician and “=“ proves he has a lot to give.    … Expand
  76. sodreu
    Oct 30, 2021
    10
    I think this one is the best Ed's album so far. We can see his evolution as an artist.
  77. Jaychafale
    Oct 29, 2021
    10
    Equals is undoubtedly the most mature and sophisticated work Sheeran has done in the last few years. The opening arena-pop track 'Tides' is a great intro to the album, setting the tone for the rest of the songs. Shivers is an excellent dance-pop track likely to be an earworm. Only Sheeran could brag about playing 80000 people at wembley and come off as not. First Time is an elaborate song,Equals is undoubtedly the most mature and sophisticated work Sheeran has done in the last few years. The opening arena-pop track 'Tides' is a great intro to the album, setting the tone for the rest of the songs. Shivers is an excellent dance-pop track likely to be an earworm. Only Sheeran could brag about playing 80000 people at wembley and come off as not. First Time is an elaborate song, one of the highlights on this album. Overpass Graffiti is another pop song with an insane hook likely to become Sheeran's next No.1. Still, the standout track on the album is 'the joker and the Queen', an exquisite piano ballad containing all of Sheeran's finesse, a ballad for the ages.
    All the songs fit well into a album filled with pop bangers, beautiful ballads, and basically making one album for the ages.    … Expand
  78. RomiIsaiah
    Oct 29, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Album so good.... Great emotion and lotta story telling... Just a vibe on vibes... Maybe better than Divide… Expand
  79. Tedddyy
    Oct 29, 2021
    10
    Ed really explored with this album more than he has ever done before, the beats, production and melodies on this album are insane, he stepped out of his confort zone with this one and I can't be more proud than I am right now.
  80. Rault
    Oct 29, 2021
    10
    Cada álbum que Ed hace es mejor que el anterior realmente disfrute cada canción del álbum
  81. ludenwknd
    Oct 29, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. te aml te amo te amo te aml te amo muito te Mo nssjsjsjhssh7fugjgivig serioe eu ge aml… Expand
  82. Chalupitas
    Oct 29, 2021
    10
    Cada una de sus canciones fue escrita con mucho esfuerzo, no desmeritemos el trabajo de este gran artista solo porque no es de su agrado.
  83. Kymmmm
    Oct 30, 2021
    10
    Lyrics on point you can totally say it has a lot of radio hits but is only the production that also helps to don't feel the album flat, every song is different. We can see Ed going through a crisis of what is life, love, grief, and parenthood.
  84. poptartlet
    Oct 29, 2021
    10
    = is an amazing album. There’s a song for every mood, beautiful vocals with different stories to tell. Especially loved the song Visiting Hours
  85. rtaplays
    Oct 29, 2021
    10
    His best body of work to date. Great production. His voice sounds majestic, and the amount of genres here is incredible. Sheeran tries something new without giving up on his authenticity and essence. The themes on this album are great. You get exactly why he made this, and what point in life he’s in. Perfect.
  86. Razeru
    Oct 29, 2021
    10
    This album explored Ed's love on everything that matters to him. A lot of artists did this but with this album, it went superb on beats and lyricism at the same time. The production is fine and the lyrics are good enough to understand how passionate he is as a lover and a friend and as a songwriter. His voice is everything in each tracks. His voice filled with huskiness really matched theThis album explored Ed's love on everything that matters to him. A lot of artists did this but with this album, it went superb on beats and lyricism at the same time. The production is fine and the lyrics are good enough to understand how passionate he is as a lover and a friend and as a songwriter. His voice is everything in each tracks. His voice filled with huskiness really matched the cohesive sounds on this music. He has shown a big growth of artistry with this era. This is a recommended album. And despite the album being full of romance and contentment, Ed showed unexpectedly great tunes and lyrics that makes Equals a remarkable and memorable album, making the listeners listen again and again.… Expand
  87. Cielolili
    Oct 29, 2021
    10
    it´s no talking about hearts broken anymore, Ed is happy now so the album is higher than multiply or divide
  88. Lily_K
    Oct 29, 2021
    10
    Great lyricism, a cohesive sound, solid production, beautiful vocals and a lot of interesting concepts explored across the whole album. Ed exceeded my expectations with this one.
  89. IvanSCCP
    Oct 29, 2021
    9
    Álbum de extrema qualidade. Esse hate gratuito no Ed é cruel. Saibam disso.
  90. zainscult
    Oct 29, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. perfeito sem erros como sempre veio ai pra hitar prometeu e entregou te amo edinho amor da minha vida… Expand
  91. Sophs05
    Oct 29, 2021
    10
    = is some of his best work. The lyricism is insanely good. The melodies and production are incredible. It is very emotional and personal in the best way.
  92. timetraveler136
    Oct 30, 2021
    9
    For me Ed redeemed himself in this album, honestly? Divide was full of skips and by far his worst album, if you don't count the No. 6 Collaboration Project, which I don't and pretend it doesn't exist.
    Equals is almost perfect, I find myself wanting to replay one song as soon as its over but the moment the next one starts I just can't press previous. My favorites are probably Overpass    For me Ed redeemed himself in this album, honestly? Divide was full of skips and by far his worst album, if you don't count the No. 6 Collaboration Project, which I don't and pretend it doesn't exist.
    Equals is almost perfect, I find myself wanting to replay one song as soon as its over but the moment the next one starts I just can't press previous. My favorites are probably Overpass Graffiti, Leave Your Life and Collide. And although I'm not really a fan of the slow songs, comparing this album's slow songs with Divide's, they're much better.

    It's still not better than X or + but it did keep me intrigued enough to look forward to Subtract ( - )

    This is an album for his fans, that's it, he's not trying to be groundbreaking or anything, he took this album to experiment with different sounds while also keeping those lyrics he's known for.
    If you've never heard anything but Shape Of You or Thinking Out Loud, this album is not for you, also if you're one of those "fans" that hate when artists grow up and don't sound the same as their first album.    … Expand
  93. vtblurry
    Nov 1, 2021
    10
    it's the most vulnerable, real and personal he has ever been in an album. it opens with 'tides', a song that sums up the whole album: it reflects on the chaos of the music industry and the peace and calmness he finds in his family life, being a dad for the first time. lyrically, it feels like reading the diary of someone finding love, getting married, growing up and building a family.
  94. ellegabris8
    Nov 1, 2021
    10
    Ed is back with good music. Honestly, I was missing the high quality he had before divide (which was quite bad saved by a few songs and then n6 was a whole new disappointment) but he is back, Equals has great songwriting, production and is showing that live performances will be great too.

    personally my favourites were Leave your life, 2step, Stop the rain and The joker and the queen,,    Ed is back with good music. Honestly, I was missing the high quality he had before divide (which was quite bad saved by a few songs and then n6 was a whole new disappointment) but he is back, Equals has great songwriting, production and is showing that live performances will be great too.


    personally my favourites were Leave your life, 2step, Stop the rain and The joker and the queen,, honorable mention to Be right now; the only one I didn't like much was collide.    … Expand
  95. RenePaixao
    Nov 1, 2021
    10
    One of his best works, extremely personal and mature.
    I loved this Ed Sheeran album, the sound of it made me feel great. All the waiting we had between DIVIDE until this album was worth it.
  96. marcmarc
    Nov 13, 2021
    10
    I love this album, the best songs for me are Shivers, Tides, Stop the Rain and Visiting Hours, but all of them are really cool songs.
    I don't understand why people say that is similar to Divide, because it's not true, it's completely different in the lyrics, the structure of the song and the themes, please listen first and understand what the songs are about and then judge.
  97. PEDROMFR
    Nov 3, 2021
    7
    Despite some critics, this is a different path for Ed Sheeran, resulting in a very different album comparing to his previous work. Being a grown man and father, the British singer gets more personal in a still very pop-ish way. His best work, so far.
  98. LineOfDuty
    Oct 29, 2021
    10
    An excellent album that takes you through almost everything, may not be the best album for people who prefer acoustic ed and his album + but normally this album has everything. Sadness, Love, Funky vibe, Dancy catchy music, Lust, Romance, Parenthood and even has a lullaby.
    Songs are a bit over produced but the idea has def worked for me. It feels like a whole new Ed Sheeran but has    An excellent album that takes you through almost everything, may not be the best album for people who prefer acoustic ed and his album + but normally this album has everything. Sadness, Love, Funky vibe, Dancy catchy music, Lust, Romance, Parenthood and even has a lullaby.
    Songs are a bit over produced but the idea has def worked for me. It feels like a whole new Ed Sheeran but has components of all his previous album. Songs like Tides, The Joker and the Queen and Leave your life gives album a very advance touch sonically.

    Def worth listening to, One of the best albums released this year xx    … Expand
  99. isabeyeye
    Nov 1, 2021
    10
    'Equals' is Ed's most mature album and really shows how great being married and having a child is to him. The lyrics are as incredible as always, but the productions are, in a good way, different than the ones we were used to in his records. The aesthetic of '=' is also prettier than the previous eras.
  100. Thiago20
    Oct 29, 2021
    10
    This album is amaziing!! Ed's phenomenal!! He is a great artist that give very emotional musics!
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Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

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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
  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.
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  2. AllMusic
    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.
    Read full review
  3. Pitchfork
    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.
    Read full review
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