Entertainment

Ed Sheeran Debuts His Album Title & Track List

by Caitlyn Callegari
John Phillips/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

I'd like to think, If I were famous and had even a shred of musical talent, that Ed Sheeran and I would be friends. And if the Instagram post in which Sheeran reveals his new album name and track list is any indication, he's getting serious about that realness and authenticity being a part of his brand now. To me, he's just always seemed so down to earth and totally chill, which I totally respect in a person with wild success. Also, he seems like that pal who'd show up to your doorstep unannounced with a six pack of beer and a guitar if he knew you were feeling down. The singer is a no frills, real kind of person, as evidence in this Instagram post.

Why do I say this? Well, because the post kinda, sorta resembles one of my first science fair project poster boards that I attempted to make in elementary school before I learned how to type with more than one finger at a time. But that's also what makes it so great. On what looks like either torn apart or somewhat poorly cut strips of computer paper, Sheeran etched the album title, Divide, along with his entire track list, in pen, by hand. It's an old school approach but an endearing one at that. Because it just feels so very... Ed Sheeran.

The handwritten track list is actually fitting with the theme of Divide, because Sheeran also shared two lyric teasers on Instagram with a handwritten looking font.

In fact, to tease his new music in general, he starred in a short but sweet video holding up a, you guessed it, handwritten sign.

While we've only gotten a taste of Sheeran's new music and that taste has been arguably quite delicious, this bare bones approach to promoting the album makes me think it's a nod to the vibe of Divide. I mean, this is all coming after the musician took a year off from social media (and kind of the internet in general). It only makes sense that, while promoting on Twitter and Instagram, his album, right down to how he gets the word out, is a lot simpler and more folksy after spending a year living more simply.