Ed Sheeran’s new album, “Autumn Variations,” has raised questions about his marital status with his wife Cherry Seaborn, as lyrics from the album hint at difficulties, with the particular song “Punchline” suggesting potential strains.

Sheeran new project explores mental health battles in songs like “Page” and “Amazing,” expressing feelings of loneliness, love for a ghostly presence, and struggles with positivity. This album marks his debut under his record label, Gingerbread Man.

‘I Can’t Take This Letting Go’

Ed Sheeran has potentially hinted at marital struggles with his wife, Cherry Seaborn, through lyrics in his new album, “Autumn Variations.” The album, released recently, suggests their relationship faced difficulties, with one song implying his wife might have considered ending their marriage.

 

In the track “Punchline,” Sheeran’s lyrics as analyzed by The Sun express destructive emotions, reading: “I can’t help but be destructive right now. It’s been weeks since I saw your outline. In my room is a silence so loud. This is what losing hope might sound like.”

The emotional chorus reflects his enduring love but also the challenges of letting go. It goes, “I can’t help it but I love you so. I can’t take this letting go. I still feel like we could work it out or something. All I am is only flesh and bone. Why’s your heart so freezing cold?”

Ed Sheeran’s New Album’ Autumn Variations’ Explores Mental Health Challenges

Sheeran’s album “Autumn Variations” also explores mental health battles and hints at struggles with depression. In the song “Page,” he sings about loneliness and being in love with the “ghost” of someone, expressing feelings of constant searching and unease.

“I’m in love with the ghost of you. Better luck next year, there’s nothing left here. But am I constantly searching, feeling unsettled?” Sheeran sings.

“Living in hell pretending it’s heaven? Head’s spinning. Maybe I’m destined to be always lonely, alone, a loser…” the lyrics continued.

The song “Amazing” features lyrics about struggling to stay positive, feeling teary, and being “on the edge” emotionally. In “When Will I Be Alright?” the singer addresses bleak thoughts, singing, “I’ve been up all night thinking about dying.”

Ed Sheeran Reveals The Inspiration Behind ‘Autumn Variations’

Sheeran’s latest album, “Autumn Variations,” is the first album debuted under his record label Gingerbread Man. Before its release, the “Shape of You” hitmaker took to the streets of New York, holding a cardboard sign that read, “Autumn is here,” to connect with potential fans.

The Grammy award-winning artist previously discussed the inspiration behind the album, mentioning that in Autumn 2022, he observed how things either became calm or unraveled for his friends, leading him to write songs to explore his feelings and those of others. He explained: “‘When I went through a difficult time at the start of last year, writing songs helped me understand my feelings and come to terms with what was going on.”

He added: “When I learned about my friend’s different situations, I wrote songs, some from their perspectives, some from mine, to capture how they and I viewed the world at that time.”

Ed Sheeran’s New Album’ Autumn Variations’ Receives Mixed Reviews

Following its debut, Sheeran’s “Autumn Variations,” has received mixed reviews from critics, per the Daily Mail.

Rachel Aroesti from The Guardian gave it two stars, criticizing the “plodding and unimaginative ballads.” She noted, “Most songs eventually end up in the same realm: that of a bland, plodding vaguely sentimental ballad boasting at least one instantly memorable hook.”

The Independent’s Helen Brown, on the other hand, awarded three stars, acknowledging, “There’s no standout tune on here to match Elgar’s ‘Nimrod,’ of course, but there’s enough soupy seasonal sentimentality to fill the Royal Albert Hall.”

Ed Power from iNews also gave the album three stars, considering it a companion to his previous work, “Subtract.” “The smartest way to approach Autumn Variations is as an unexpected bonus,” he wrote.

In contrast, David Smyth from the Evening Standard awarded four stars, praising Sheeran’s musical evolution, reasoning that the singer is “still moving at a breathtaking pace, he has something to say with his music other than ‘Buy me!”

The Times’ Will Hodgkinson also gave it four stars, recognizing Ed’s skill in infusing “mundane aspects of life” with emotion. “For all his apparent normality, that really is a rare skill,” he praised.

Metro’s Emma Harrison gave the project four stars, appreciating its exploration of various themes. “From the heady happiness of falling in love to the depths of despair of heartbreak, no stone or theme is left unturned,” she wrote.