Ed Sheeran has shared an alternative version of his album track "Bloodstream" from the Grammy-nominated album x -- pronounced Multiply -- with additional production from soul-drum n' bass group Rudimental.
The original featured the "Feel the Love" band as co-writers alongside Sheeran and Snow Patrol members Johnny McDaid and Gary Lightbody with Rick Rubin taking the helm on production. The new version of the song is more upbeat and danceable, different from a typical Sheeran song, as the soulful drums and low-end from Rudimental comes cascading through the mix alongside Sheeran's guitars and vocals.
Rudimental complete the collaboration with the subtle addition of their trumpets as the song fades away. Rudimental shared on Twitter that the collaboration happened when they were on tour together in 2014.
Hold tight @edsheeran we made #bloodstream together on tour. Mad talented and a top bloke
— Rudimental (@RudimentalUk) February 11, 2015
This may not jive with the tastes of many Ed Sheeran fans, but it fits with the original story of the song, according to an interview he did with The Digital Spy in the U.K., where he took ecstasy at a wedding in Ibiza and "fell in love with a beanbag."
The track will be released March 29 with a new single "I Will Take You Home" that is believed to be the new Sheeran song that was debuted on the season premiere of Courtney Cox's final season of Cougar Town.
You can pre-order both tracks on iTunes now.
Sheeran is heading out on an extensive U.S. tour in May and June. You can find all the details and tour dates here.
Compare the two tracks below. Which do you like more? What do you think of the new Rudimental-assisted version? Let us know in the comments section.
