Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

He’s one of music’s most unlikely stars. An unassuming redhead from tiny Hebden Bridge in northern England, Ed Sheeran has a knack for crafting infectious pop songs in a variety of styles. The 26-year-old’s ambitious third album follows the mathematical titles of his previous bestselling releases, Plus and Multiply, but outdoes them both with better songs and more diverse sounds. Along with the chart-topping singles “Shape of You” and “Castle on the Hill,” the album has catchy ballads like “Perfect” and feelgood anthems of hope including “What Do I Know.” Strong rhythms drive sunny songs such as the Latin-tinged “Barcelona” and the West African-flavored “Bibia Be Ye Ye.” And Sheeran’s affini...

Sheeran’s second album includes “One,” his final song about the girlfriend who dominated his first disc. “The rest of X,” explains the 23-year-old English singer, “is about moving on and the incredible experiences I’ve had since then.” Where Sheeran's debut was mostly acoustic pop-rock, his followup is more diverse. The slinky groove of “Sing,” produced by Pharrell Williams, is reminiscent of Justin Timberlake, while the edgy “Don’t” is a payback song about a cheating lover. Best of all is “Thinking Out Loud,” a blue-eyed soul song sung with convincing passion, showing how much the ginger-haired star has grown.