Play

Launching a new thematic era after closing his five-part Mathematics series, English singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran presses the titular button on his vibrant eighth set, Play. A blend of his heartfelt busker material and his big pop anthems, the set adds more of the same to his hit-packed catalog, which is just fine for his fans. Kicking things off with the aptly titled "Opening," the noted rap fan spits verse after verse of impressive, head-spinning bars, admitting, "Im still looking for shit to say/Deluding myself that theyll still relate." Whether hes saying anything relevant is beside the point, as this bakers dozen is as relatable as anything hes ever done (especially the bittersweet tearjerker "Old Phone," the lovelorn beauty "Camera," and his latest first-dance-at-your-wedding-moment "The Vow"). Those near-acoustic gems are scattered throughout, with catchy, radio-ready pop bursts maintaining Plays energy. Traversing the globe, he collaborates with Indian artist Arijit Singh on the uplifting "Sapphire," tries his hand at Persian-influenced pop on the euphoric "Azizam," and comes close to crafting a Major Lazer banger on "Symmetry." As genres blur, the nostalgic "A Little More" sounds like it could have been a Mark Ronson track, while the blissful "Dont Look Down" borrows from Y2K trance. Much like contemporaries Coldplay, Sheeran knows how to please his fans and Play doesnt veer far from his usual formula, shaking things up just enough with the invigorating addition of a couple internationally spiced highlights. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

数学シリーズの総括ツアーを経た2年ぶりのアルバムは実に明るい印象。ペルシャ音楽の影響を受けた"Azizam"やインドの要素を投影した"Sapphire"といった異文化アプローチも彼らしいマイルドさで、多彩なリズム・トラックとの縁に活力を得た構成は『=』(2021年)の延長線上にあるものだ。全編の制作はイリヤとジョニー・マクデイド、サヴァン・コテチャらのチームが中心。要所でサーカットやフレッド・アゲインが助力し、ラップの作詞をデイヴが援護、マックス・マーティンがベースだけ弾いていたり、ソウル調の"The Vow"でラリー・ゴールドを管弦アレンジに迎えるなど、さりげない贅沢も光る。
bounce (C)狛犬