Plus (+) – Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran is one of the newest exports from Great Britain and after he was prominently featured in the Olympic Closing Ceremonies (and his duet with Taylor Swift that will appear on her next album), Sheeran’s popularity in the United States has gained momentum. Although Sheeran is a folksy singer-songwriter similar to James Blunt, he’s cited Eminem as one of his biggest influences and incorporates elements of rap and hip-hop into his guitar-based music. “The A Team” does not highlight Sheeran’s rap skills, but is one of the few songs that can instantly relax you with its soothing, lovely sound and pretty melody. “This” and “Kiss Me” have a similar acoustic sound that’s overall quiet, while “You Need Me, I Don’t Need You” and “Grade 8” have more of a light hip-hop sound. With a louder sound and a few Auto-Tuned background vocals, “Lego House” could be the power ballad of the year with interesting metaphors and a catchy beat. However, without the gimmicks of a radio hit, this song is sweet and one of the best songs of the year so far. Plus is a strong release from Sheeran, who we’ll probably be hearing a lot more about in the future.
Tracks to Download: “The A Team”, “Lego House”
Overall Grade: B+

Blown Away – Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood has come a long way musically since her season 4 win on American Idol, and although Blown Away is not her strongest album, it is her most diverse, which is important – country music has changed a lot over the past few years. Her first single “Good Girl” follows the success of “Cowboy Casanova” from 2009’s Play On and “Before He Cheats” from 2005’s Some Hearts, all of which are songs that show off Underwood’s fierce side. “Blown Away” and “Two Black Cadillacs” have a slight pop sound to them, but Underwood’s country roots shine through with a complex story. “Forever Changed” and “Thank God For Hometowns” are softer and slower than the rest of the tracks, while “One Way Ticket” and “Cupid’s Got a Shotgun” (which features Brad Paisley on the guitar) are upbeat and fun. In many ways, Blown Away is a more mature step forward for Underwood, as it touches on material that tells a more serious story than her past albums. However, with its diverse appeal, Underwood is an artist who still reaches out to younger generations.

Tracks to Download: “Good Girl”, “Blown Away”
Overall Grade: A-