A surprising change of pace
It may seems like an odd move, butย No.6 Collaborations Projectย has come at the perfect time in Edโs career. After three huge albums, it was clear onย Divideย that his song writing talents were becoming increasingly formulaic. Sure, it was a commercial success, but the authenticity and ingenuity had dwindled significantly since his earliest work.
With this new venture, weโre finally allowed to explore Edโs talents fully, without the confinements of an acoustic guitar and loop-pedal setup. The end result is endlessly more engaging than 2017s effort, as Sheeranโs vocals weave between atmospheric trap beats on โAntisocialโ with Travis Scott, R&B instrumentals with H.E.R. on โI Donโt Want Your Moneyโ, and even a country inspired rock anthem to close off on โBLOWโ with Bruno Mars.
Think of it as an alternative to DJ Khaled, except Ed actually shows up in the songs. Artists from both the UK and the US pop up throughout, including Stormzy, Dave, Eminem, 50 Cent, Bruno Mars, Skrillex, H.E.R, Ella Mai, and more. Thereโs no shortage of A-List names and superstar talent here.
All these different artists and ideas culminate in an explosive 50-minute album, one that rarely slows down or meanders. Aside from a handful of more traditional loved up ballad verses from Ed, this is mostly a fast-paced collection of rap, trap, and pop that does a decent job of encapsulating modern musical trends in a convenient package.
Highlights include the opener โBeautiful Peopleโ featuring Khalid and โTake Me Back To Londonโ featuring Stormzy. Ed pops up on every track, often giving introspective moments on overworking, extensive touring, and relationship struggles. There are mentions of Spoons and the usual confessions of love, but theyโre far less sickly sweet than previous albums.
Lacking a certain charm
Despite all of that, though, something feels notably un-Sheeran about the whole thing. It may be more of a fun ride and shows off some aspects of his craft that have been previously underplayed, but Edโs personality and unique charisma tend to get diluted in the mix.
Where once his storytelling was poignant and heartfelt โ think โA Teamโ with its considered take on homelessness as well as โSmall Bumpโ on pregnancy complications โ here it’s reduced down to a few throwaway lines about Ipswich and humble bragging about money on โRemember The Nameโ with Eminem and 50 Cent.
Edโs influence is whittled down to moments scattered across the LP, leaving his impact noticeably weaker. Often these new tracks feel like leftovers or demos from other albums, with Ed chucked in for good measure. They donโt feel likeย hisย songs.
With all of these different pools of genres and people,ย No. 6 Collaborations Projectย doesnโt really have itโs own sense of self. Thereโs no real consistency that threads everything together. Where Ed has been impressively curative in his track lists before, keeping entire projects gelled together stylistically, here each tune tends to trip over the next one in a sugar rush. We bounce from Khalid to Stormzy, then to a slow jam with YEBBA, then back to banger territory with Bieber โ and thatโs all within the first third. Diversity is welcomed, especially from Ed, but here itโs a bit too much.
I applaud this project for trying something fresh with one of the most popular acts in the world, but not everything from everyone on here sticks well. โRemember The Nameโ, featuring Eminem and 50 Cent is one such track thatโs jarringly bizarre. โFeelsโ with Young Thug also falls into similar pitfalls โ both tracks sound like mashups and bonus cuts from an extended singles EP.
Thereโs much to enjoy onย No 6. Collaborations Project, but thereโs also a ton to be confused by. Perhaps thatโs the point, given the title of the album, but it absolutely lacks the signature allure that was onย Plusย and – to some extent –ย Multiply. Iโm all for Ed tackling genres outside the acoustic guitar, but I wish more of it was done on his own terms without the support of an ensemble cast. This isnโtย The Avengers.
Is it worth a listen?
The short answer is yes.
With such a wide scope of tones, textures, and sounds, itโs almost guaranteed youโll find something you like here. Though, equally, youโre likely to be hearing at least several tracks you really do not enjoy. I canโt imagine many big Travis Scott fans taking that kindly to the closer rock song โBLOWโ with Chris Stapleton and Bruno Mars.
Iโd also recommend giving this a try even if you really donโt like Edโs music.ย No 6. Collaborations Projectย is a noticeable step away from past works, and is mostly free from the marketing shackles that plague Divide. Edโs having fun and clearly feels more creatively free. The reins of the โsinger songwriterโ label have been washed off, leaving the project more colourful than anything heโs dropped in a while.
Just donโt expect all of it to click, and be prepared for much more than just Ed Sheeran on these tracks.ย No. 6 Collaborations Projectย is a rush of crisp production, fast raps, and buzzing energy.
Itโs just a shame not more of it comes from the main man himself.
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