Ed Sheeran is back with another biting, grooving anti-love anthem. Today (June 13), the typically tender singer-songwriter released a new track from his upcoming album x, entitled "Don't." The song, which has previously been heard in a few live debuts and a Beats commercial is now available in its full-length studio form
The saucy, probably Ellie Goulding-inspired single continues the trend of Sheeran's new blend of R&B, heartbreak and traditional acoustic guitar pop rock. Starting with a round of saucy "Ohs," "Don't" quickly turns into a rolling, grooving rock anthem, with Sheeran talk-singing over the smooth yet hard-hitting instrumentation.
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Where "Don't" really shines is through its lyrics. Sheeran and Goulding quietly dated each other several years ago before she presumably cheated on him, which Sheeran touches on in this new single. "Don't" reveals the build up of the eventually failed relationship, with the two sharing a hotel room for a night or two, keeping things casual before their fondness grows, and soon they're singing Aretha Franklin together in his home.
Eventually, though it all burns to the ground (a lyric Sheeran keen-fully included in the first verse), when the woman cheats on Sheeran with someone who's staying on the same hotel floor as the couple.
Talk about a real "Burn."
Of course, the lyrical interpretation is just one guess, but you know, it feels pretty obvious. And more importantly, it's all set to one sweet melody.
Listen to Ed Sheeran's new song "Don't" below:
Don't is the third studio recording released from Sheeran's second full-length album x, following "Sing" and "One." The follow-up to the similarly titled 2011 album + is due to hit stores on June 23.
