Album of the Week.

I mean you all should have seen this coming.

I've listened to the album whole a couple times and this is what I've gotten from it so far.

One - I think this song was a great first track for the album. I feel like it's very similar to the way the first album sounded and in a way it's a bridge bringing the two together.

I'm A Mess - Is it just me or does have a band sound to it ? Listening to this one my mind immediately thought Paramore, (old Paramore) like he took one of their songs did it acoustically and killed it, in a good way !

Sing - The song also known as his new identifier. When this sing first came out I was very glad that he decided to experiment with a different sound, but like all singles I also thought I would get sick of it. Surprising I'm still enjoying it like I just heard it for the first time.

Don't - At first I was really nervous because I fell in love with the live version of this song, then I heard a clip of it from the Beats commercial and didn't know if I was gonna like the studio version as much but when I did get to listen to it whole it lived up to what I expected. Also if you listen carefully it has a bit of his older sound in it, the "before + days" so he's staying true to himself.

Nina - I personally don't really know what to say for this song. I don't know how I feel about it yet. Its probably one of those that I either have to let grow on me or that I just won't really have an option on it. I do like the last 1/3 of the song, I'm a sucker for stacking, to me it adds layers to the song.

Photograph - Another one of the songs that remind me of the older album but blends in well with the newer sound.

Bloodstream - This is one of the darker ones on the album and it's the one that I have gravitated to. It's dark but has beauty to it.

Tenerife Sea - Another song that I fell in love with the live version and the studio version lives up to it. It's beautiful and I can see some people wanting it to be their wedding song.

Runaway - Reminds me of old school Justin Timberlake and after hearing this song I want Pharrell and Ed to do a whole EP or album together. I could see this song being a single, if the lyrics were more "cheerier". It's a beat that's very radio friendly.

The Man - This is another one that I don't really know how I feel about yet. I'm just glad to see that he's rapping on his album, especially knowing that Hip Hop is his first love, music wise.

Thinking Out Loud - This is another beautiful one that could possibly be somebody's wedding song. You can feel all the soul and emotion in this one especially around 2:55 of the track.

Afire Love - This damn song pulled on all my heart strings, I may or may not have cried a little. Reading up on the process of how he came to write the song just made it even worst (if you like it, look it up). Personally I think it's one that everybody can connect to, I know I did. It's just beautifully written and beautifully made.

Deluxe Version :

Take It Back - I love how this song sounds like it's just a recording of a live performance. And I love that theirs another song of him rapping on the album. And you can't deny it, he has a nice flow.

Shirtsleeves - Very reminiscent of the material that was on his 'Songs I Wrote With Amy' EP.

Even My Dad Does Sometimes - A song that would have been suited to end the album, in my option. One of the slower and darker songs, lyrically speaking.

I See Fire - I have never seen the Lord of the Rings whole and I honestly don't plan to anytime soon but from what I've seen and heard this song fits the movie perfectly and I'm happy that he added it as a bonus track on the album.

Physically Deluxe Version :

All of the Stars - I wish this was in the digital version but I guess it's an incentive for people to actually buy the physical copy. This movie I actually did see and the song fit perfectly with it. It was this song that almost made me lose it in the movie theater.

My standout tracks are I'm A Mess, Bloodstream, Runaway, Afire Love, and Take It Back, but as I keep listening I'm sure it will change up. 

Overall I give this album a 4/5.

I'm enjoying the new sound and I love that his experimenting with the sound.

Majority of the songs are a lot darker compared to the last album, but overall it's a great album to listen to whenever, where ever.

Have you listened to the album yet ? What do you think ?

What's your favorite song(s) of this album ?

What other albums are a must listen to this week ?

- JustANewYorkGirl