i don't care if people don't like this record. I bloody adore this record and it hits me so much that i remember my mum who passed away 2 years ago. What an end to the mathematical era:)
Yup, I loved how open he was in the documentary. And I loved the album, I cried while listening to some of the songs. So many relatable messages about grief.
I expected the documentary to be similar to Songwriter which was for Divide, so I downloaded it to watch for my train journey. I ended up crying watching it surrounded by random people on the train.
i love the idea of The Hills Of Aberfeldy. the song was written over 10 years ago (in the X era), and was always meant to be the closer for subtract, and the mathematics series by extension
in case someone needs this too here ya go lol Boat 1:30 salt water 6:46 eyes closed 13:00 life goes on 19:45 dusty 26:02 end of youth 31:38 colorblind 37:42 curtains 44:03 borderline 48:50 spark 53:25 vega 1:01:44 sycamore 1:05:28 no strings 1:09:00 the hills of aberfeldy 1:13:06
This is definitely my favorite Ed Sheeran album and probably a new all-time favorite. It's so cathartic for anyone who has experienced grief and/or illness.
This album is so special. Sad, melancholic, yes maybe a bit depressing, but I'm betting everyone can find at least one song on there that they deeply relate to. It's so personal and deep and just wonderful. Thank you for this masterpiece, Ed. Now that I've listened to it a few times, my favorites include End of Youth, Borderline, Curtains, Spark and Stoned.
I love how much you love Ed's music. And honestly it's okay if your not fully focusing on the lyrics on the first listen. The lyrics are so heavy and even more heavy if you know the meaning of them. Ed is one of those musicians who a lot of people just love to hate and I don't get it. His music and lyricism and voice is just amazing. And I am proud to say that I have/still love every single project he has done. Yeah some songs here and there I don't vibe with as much, but overall, I have loved every single album so far.
Agreed, Ed is definitely one of my favorite artists. The only album I have fully listened to is Subtract, so I’m interested in listening to his previous albums.
When you write from your heart and what is actually going on. The fans hear it and most of us can relate to it. Ed Sheeran is an incredible singer songwriter, by far my favourite album he has made so far. The hills of Aberfeldy is the song that gives me chills. Since it is done in the Irish folk connection. Just a masterpiece
Wild that you immediately picked up on Life Goes On using country chords considering Ed just played it at the ACM awards with country artist Luke Combs and it works perfectly. Also I know you were talking about it from a music standpoint but the idea of Colourblind being the dark version of Perfect makes so much sense even lyrically. I’m now starting to wonder if that’s on purpose. My favorites on this album are always changing but I think End Of Youth, Life Goes On, and The Hills of Aberfeldy are my top three, seriously an incredible album!
Blake this is perfect timing! I just listened to subtract for the first time yesterday and I am so mad at myself for waiting this long! It's an insane album, and I am so glad I got tickets to see him live!!
thanks for the reaction! ed is one of my favorite artists and it really bothers me that he is only judged on his hits without getting recognition for the artist that he is. this album is already one of my favorites of his precisely because of the honesty of his lyrics and the courage he had to replace a 10 year job with one he did in just 1 month. again, thank you!!
I think Colourblind is actually meant to be a dark Perfect on purpose, given that both are about his love for his now wife. She had a health scare that really shook them, and I feel like this is him doing an update to Perfect which was their first few months of a relationship, to maturing to what it is now theyre married with 2 kids and dealing with what life throws at them
An unbelievably beautiful album. After Ed's last album in 2021, which I admit I didn't like so much, finally an album full of songs that come from the heart in acoustic style. Even if it is sad, but imo the best songs are always created when the songwriters are going through difficult periods.
been a fan of Ed since 2014. Subtract is so special. It talks about loss and life and it hits like Plus and I am so happy he came back to his singer-songwriter roots. big up for the reaction Blake as always. my fav are Boat, Salt Water, Curtains and Spark! 💛
Your reaction to Hills of Aberfeldy made my night. It’s my favorite from the album. The whole album is a masterpiece in my eyes, but that song is my #1 for sure
Yay you're back. I love this album, I think it's probably his best yet. For more context his docu series on disney plus and apple music concert are really helpful. I've missed you're detailed musical analysis.
I was waiting for this! I really enjoyed your reaction to Equals so much that I watched it several times. I couldn't wait to hear your reaction to Subtract! It's really cool to hear a producer's take on an album because you pick up on things that non musicians wouldn’t notice or understand and I find it very interesting. I loved the video.
Also, once you really listen to the lyrics and understand the context in which all the songs were written it hits much harder. If you're interested in the context check out his Docu Series The Sum of it All and his Subtract Sundays on his socials. Knowing the meaning behind the songs really helps.
I love the depth with which you listen to music. Your reaction to this album is so appreciative, not dismissive of what it means and it’s heaviness. you actually see the nuances and differences in each song, unlike others I watched. You get it, if that makes sense. Thank you for sharing ❤
The hills of aberfeldy ed sheeran wrote it like 2014 i recall it in an interview he had that planned all along that it would be the last song in subtract but then again divide collaboration 6 equals like.. ed sheeran thankyou so much for these songs all of the songs ❤❤❤ hes the best GOAT would you all gree to me
☆ i love ed - i am a female- senior citizen-forever a hippie that was introduced to folk music by some of the most iconic people with souls-some are still with us. I also love Reggae, goepel, and world music. (+++) ☆ I'm Absolutely obsessed and listen to him constantly. Putting out this album was therapy to him and me and others. I sing along with a ten year old boy that I helped raise. ☆ Ed is a gem with a good heart and magical power and voice. ☆ I'm ecstatic that he put these songs out. Music can be very cathartic. ☆ i had never watched your videos. I'm hooked! ☆ loved your assistance with this music. I'll tell you that I loved your mention of ADHD-- I certainly related. ☆ good stuff! ! loved that you hadn't listened to this - when he catches you it's great!
Really enjoyed your music production insights, Blake! Really love this album. Also really appreciate your knowledge of music/entertainment law. There's value in knowing an industry from all sides!
ahh you're back! glad to see it! :) I love this album, Colorblinf was so powerful for me, such great writing and Life goes on's chorus reminds me of Thinking out loud a lot ✨ good stuff from Ed 🥹
I find it so amazing how he tells his story. Curtains brought him here nicely I think because grief is back and forth a bit. He’s still working it out here.
I love this album!! I have so many feelings about it and they all fit Me! It remember my dad in a few songs and my hubby in no strings and others. It just gives the total range of feelings from one edge of the spectrum to the other. Ed and Aaron did a fantastic job!! x❤
I love Hills of Aberfeldy so much because of it's connection to Wild Mountain Thyme. Ed covered that song with Passenger. If you haven't listened to it, highly recommend
I KNEW IT!! ITS NOT JUST ME!! FIRST TIME I HEARD THE ALBUM, COLOURBLIND HIT ME SINCE I ALREADY THOUGHT, MAN ISNT THIS THE PERFECT OF THE ALBUM?? GOOD TO KNOW YOU ALSO NOTICED IT!!
The pause you took to explain stuff about the levels not being turned up etc. Because I have found myself wondering why songs sound better on this channel than they do on my spotify
I really like "End of Youth". I love his whole album, but watching him perform in person really got me. He is an amazing artist, singer, and song writer. I loved watching you react to his album.
This album its amazing, its goes direct to the heart, speaks about loss , griff and when you feel lost in life . Its an album for life and dral whith emotions. The lyrics, the voice, the videos and we have a documentary. You just connect whith this album
A lot of artists have put out albums this year of self-reflection. The pandemic has put a lot of people into their feelings, and Ed Sheeran has been through a lot over the past couple of years. He lost his friend, which helped him get his deal, and then his wife had cancer. He went through a lot over the last 2-3 years.
the prediction thing you mentioned at eyes closed, I had the same thing listening to saturdays by louis tomlinson. the whole time I was waiting for the drums and they didn’t came in for quite a long time and it felt so good when the drums came in
I saw him perform recently here in Dallas and he is AMAZING! If he’s coming to your area, you should definitely go see him! He performed songs from this album and it’s just stunning! End of Youth is one of my top 5 for him!
Blake love your work! absolute fan of ed and his music and for some reason when you're mentioning how you want Ed to hit a certain note in Life Goes On for some reason, I keep thinking of Beautiful by Labrinth is where you were going with what you were saying!
Ed sheeran went back to hsi rouths and its amazing , an album directly to the heart. Great to watch you react blake 👌🙌 my favorites are End of youth, eyes closed, curtains and vega .
Honestly, there are songs that remind me of each album and I love that, especially as the end of an era for him. Although, it is the album that made me cry the most, absolutely bawled my eyes out at Salt Water, End of youth, Life goes on, Spark and Sycamore (might be forgetting something) . Literally like half of the album lol
I'm new to your reactions and this one was wonderful. I hope you dive into the lyrics and his reasions behind them. Ed is a master of lyrics. He was in a rough place when he wrote all of this. I know he'll help many others, which is the gift of music. I'll be listening to your other reactions now. Thank you.
Forever will respect Ed, I really wanted to love this album, acoustic singer-songwriter is his genre but this album sounds like one song and I know that's what Ed wanted but for me as a listener, it's what turns me off an album so easily. Very much loved boat, end of youth and eyes closed tho. His docu on Disney+ is amazing and a must watch, cried all 4 episodes
Subtract is Ed Sheeran’s best album. Anyone who disagrees either has trash taste in music or doesn’t understand music. Salt Water may be his greatest song.
I completely agree! Not only do I think it’s his best album, but for me personally Subtract is the greatest album of all time! And totally agree on Saltwater too :)
