Combined with the sweet memories are some of the most heartwrenching ones, too. Closing track 'Supermarket Flowers' is not only the most beautiful track on the record, but also the most heartbreaking. The song is entirely just piano and Sheeran's voice, with a subtle synth playing behind it as it progresses. Sheeran sings about his fondest memories about his mother, who, if you go by the lyrics, has passed away. Such simple memories like "Packed up the photo album Matthew had made / Memories of a life that's been loved / Took the get well soon cards and stuffed animals" and "I fluffed the pillows, made the beds, stacked the chairs up / Folded your nightgowns neatly in a case" come off as some of the saddest. The simplicity of these actions paint a quiet scene of an aftermath of losing someone. The chorus is the most crushing thing on this record, the beautiful lines "You were an angel in the shape of my mum / You got to see the person I have become / Spread your wings / And I know when that when God took you back he said Hallelujah / You're home." If that didn't break you, you have no heart.

Despite the emotional power of this record, not every track on ÷ is a perfect hit. There's a particular run of songs that is full of sweet songs that serve their purpose as a story, but don't add much to the record. That run falls between 'Galway Girl' and 'What Do I Know?' - good songs, but don't really mean much. There are passionate and simple songs like 'Dive' that do what they all try to do a lot better. After the pretty orchestras and gravelly delivery of 'Perfect,' things do die down for a bit. Things pick up again at the sweet ballad 'How Would You Feel (Paean)' before the album ends, which is thematically the same as the others (though this one is about his current relationship), but finds moments to be sonically creative and have fun.

Ed Sheeran has put his heart out there time and time again so that he could deliver the most passionate messages that he could. In our review of his sophomore album X, we commented on how we defined what modern romance is. ÷ is similar and different in ways. It continues to epitomize love, but instead of speaking generally, Sheeran recalls his own life experiences. ÷ isn't about love, it's about being human, and celebrating all of the memories you've had, good and bad. The fondest memories will be the ones you remember, so be like Ed Sheeran and keep them close in your heart.

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