No. 6 Collaborations Project.
| Ed Sheeran
No. 6 Collaborations Project.
No. 6 Collaborations Project is the fourth studio album and second collaboration project by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released on 12 July 2019 by Asylum Records and Atlantic Records. The album is a follow-up to Sheeran's 2011 EP No. 5 Collaborations Project, and includes a range of guest appearances from artists such as Justin Bieber, Camila Cabello, Travis Scott, Eminem, 50 Cent, Cardi B, Paulo Londra, Young Thug, Skrillex, Bruno Mars, Stormzy, J Hus and Dave, among others. -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
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Pitchfork
The pop star’s compilation features Cardi B, Chance the Rapper, and Stormzy in a sometimes nice but hopelessly transparent attempt at a hip-hop crossover.
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Rolling Stone
Ed Sheeran’s Ambitious, Ludicrously Star-Studded ‘No.6 Collaborations Project’.
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Consequence
There are moments of No. 6 Collaborations Project that show self-awareness. It seems Sheeran knows exactly what people are going to say about this album, and he doesn’t care. Despite its flaws, there is no objecting to the claim that Sheeran has got the pop-song formula down pat. And he’s versatile, or at least trying to be, which is essential in order to function in this pop landscape, where the most successful artists blend genres with ease (Lil Nas X, Lizzo). On this record, he’s taking a stab at, well, every genre. It doesn’t pay off, though, because this effort results in a sense of emptiness, an abyss of authenticity or real feeling. And that’s the problem: Despite writing “emotional” ballads for a huge part of his career, none of us really have any idea who Ed Sheeran is.
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The Atlantic
The strummer’s No. 6 Collaborations Project reveals the blend of sentimentality, humblebragging, and hip-hop swiping that has powered his success.
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The Guardian
a credibility-by-osmosis playlist.
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Stereogum
Ed Sheeran Finally Becomes One With The Algorithm.
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NME
In 10 years' time, 'No.6 Collaborations Project', a testament to Sheeran's songwriting skills and well-honed 'everybro' persona, could be the perfect time capsule of what pop was in 2019.
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Slant Magazine
Ed Sheeran’s No.6 Collaborations Project Feels Like Playacting.
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The Independent
Bland, sincere and hygienically prepared.
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Slate
Ed Sheeran’s Collaborations Project Proves He Is the Tofu of Pop Music.
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Uproxx
On this project, Sheeran is quite literally sharing the wealth, and that’s the best, most effective way for a rich, successful white man to put his money where his mouth is.
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The Washington Post
This new Ed Sheeran album sounds like a hostage situation.
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Clash Magazine
Overall, ‘No 6 Collaborations Project’ is an eclectic mix of songs, some familiar, some forgotten after the first listen and some deeply impactful. Refreshing as it whirs away from Ed Sheeran’s tried and tested formula of love songs, it’s worth a listen to catch those glimpses of experimentation.
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Firstpost
No. 6 Collaborations Project review: Ed Sheeran's ambitious, star-studded album fails to hit the mark.
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Metro Weekly
It’s probably best experienced in small doses, since outside of a few standouts, most of the songs are charming one-offs, and the number of collaborators is somewhat overwhelming. In those small doses, however, it is fun to listen to, and if nothing else, it’s something that only Sheeran could have pulled off.
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Popdust
Superfluously: What the f**k is this album even about? Is there any kind of cohesive theme? Is the theme just manufactured emotion? If so, you'd think Sheeran could at least pay for the creation of a more authentic experience?
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NZ Herald
Sheeran is upstaged by his own guests on a nonetheless catchy pop-RnB record.
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Ratings Game Music
Ed Sheeran is so comfortable in his own skin, he is ready to dabble in other’s. “No.6 Collaborations Project” features Ed morphing into a bunch of different music stars, and impressively, he succeeds in each style. When he needs to, the UK singer is capable of showing edginess and grit on songs like “Cross Me” and “Remember The Name,” while on songs like “Way To Break My Heart,” “Beautiful People” and “I Don’t Care,” he is able to remain his usual charming/heartwarming self. Never a single moment do I feel Ed is being a poser — instead, I see him as a pop star that is open to embracing different cultures and worlds. (On some real s**t, this album would not have worked if s**t didn’t feel natural).
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Daily Emerald
Ed Sheeran’s new album 'No. 6 Collaborations Project' is a diverse collaboration of artists.
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Stylist
Spanning pop, R&B, grime, rock and hip-hop, Sheeran has used this album to experiment – and happily it hasn’t completely blown up in his face.
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Fansided
The songs are great, but it isn’t the main dish that Sheeran wants to serve. It’s more of an appetizer to the main dish that’s to come, but it’s a darn good appetizer that solidifies Sheeran as a bonafide pop kingmaker.
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The Review Geek
While many of today’s mainstream stars clamour for that perfect winning formula to hit the high points on the charts, Ed’s secret recipe is repeated again here, but spread thinly across multiple genres instead. What we’re left with when the album finishes is a collaborative effort that’s neither here nor there; an indifferent collection of mainstream pop hits and genres that’ll be forgotten as quickly as they are praised and highlighted in the charts.
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Cultura Colectiva
Ed Sheeran's New Album Is Basically A Mismatched Playlist With A Few Gems.
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Nerds & Beyond
This album is completely filled with non-stop talent. No matter what artists you are a fan of, or what genre you jam to the most, I guarantee there is a song on here you will like.
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Iowa State Daily
The album itself is tremendous. The features are perfectly-placed and very well-performed. Each song seems like its in its own different room within a large, sprawling mansion. The album doesn’t seem to have a consistent theme, which is great for a collaborative album. This could be heard on last week’s “Revenge of the Dreamers III,” which debuted at No. 1. One song can have you feeling the urge to get up and dance, while another makes you want to relax and chill.
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Nylon
SO, ED SHEERAN'S 'NO. 6 COLLABORATIONS PROJECT' IS ACTUALLY REALLY CUTE.
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The Cornell Daily Sun
Ultimately, No. 6 Collaborations Project doesn’t offer much of anything that I would recommend. It features so many forgettable tracks and some horribly unforgettable bad ones. Even at its best moments, it reminds you how much better Ed’s guest stars are than his own bland approach to pop music. I know I’ll be listening to Traveler or 24K Magic countless times before I return to this project.
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SCMP
Once again, Sheeran reminds us of his knack for an earworm hook or vocal melody, but he stills fails to offer anything more than that.
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The Young Folks
No.6’s greatest strength is catching lightning in a bottle. When something works, it’s a hit. When something doesn’t, it’s a flop. Simple as that. The aesthetic as a whole is sanitary, never allowing itself to fall too out of space. The edges are smooth, never jagged. Most importantly, Sheeran never feels at the forefront of these songs. Rather, he acts like a diehard fan at the front his favorite artist’s concert. He’s an admirer; failing to push the art forward.
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The Post
‘No. 6 Collaborations Project’ is a step in the right direction for Ed Sheeran.
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Saint Audio
No.6 Collaborations Project is ultimately not bad, but not great either. However, it’s an album that knows how to expertly manipulate the system we’ve accepted as a measure of artistic success. Hopefully, the overt gamification of streaming that Ed Sheeran is attempting will cause us to look at our own dependence on these metrics. When it comes to the music, what really counts: streaming numbers, or emotional resonance? Perhaps No.6 Collaborations Project will serve another purpose—to move the music industry’s barometer of success to more of a qualitative scale than a quantitative one.
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The Musical Hype
singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran releases an enjoyable, if flawed, star-studded fourth studio album with ‘No. 6 Collaborations Project.’
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Vinyl Chapters
Ultimately, No.6 Collaborations Project is an ambitious album that has fallen at the first hurdle. Obviously more of a passion project for Sheeran (or even a fun excuse to work with friends), it is missing the fire that is needed and therefore feels like a lazy and easy money-maker. When compared to Richard Russell’s Everything Is Recorded from 2018, it is generic-sounding and lacking charm, and it could be argued that if this was his debut album he would had been forgotten long ago.
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Inqua
Ed Sheeran’s No. 6 Collaborations Project is Disappointing.
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