− (album) explained

−
Type:	studio
Artist:	Ed Sheeran
Cover:	Ed Sheeran - Subtract.png
Alt:	A digitally manipulated photograph of Ed Sheeran's face on a yellow field and covered with yellow dirt.
Genre:	Folk-pop^[1]
Length:	48:02
Label:	Asylum Atlantic
Producer:	Aaron Dessner Fred Again Max Martin Shellback
Prev Title:	=
Prev Year:	2021
Next Title:	Autumn Variations
Next Year:	2023

− ("Subtract") is the sixth studio album by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released on 5 May 2023 through Asylum and Atlantic Records. A mostly acoustic album, production was handled by Aaron Dessner on every track, alongside Fred Again, Max Martin and Shellback, who all joined him to help produce lead single "Eyes Closed"; while "Boat" and "Life Goes On" served as the respective second and third singles of the album. It was also released as a visual album, with videos for twelve of the album's fourteen tracks ("Eyes Closed" and "Boats videos were already released prior to −) premiering on the album's release date. The album serves as the follow-up to Sheeran's previous album, = (2021), and is his final mathematical-themed album.

The album received generally positive reviews from critics. It debuted at number one in Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. It also reached the top ten in eleven other countries including United States, Canada, Italy and Spain.

Background

Ed Sheeran announced the album title, tracklist and release date on 1 March 2023 through all social media platforms.^{[2] [3] [4]} He also announced a mini-European tour from 23 March to 2 April, to complement the release of the album's lead single. It was produced and co-written by Aaron Dessner of the indie rock band the National, who also produced Taylor Swift's albums, Folklore and Evermore, both released in 2020. Sheeran and Dessner wrote over thirty songs together during a month-long studio session, which was eventually cut down to the album's fourteen tracks.^{[5] [6]} − serves as the final mathematical-themed album by Sheeran. On 29 April 2023, Sheeran announced a series of private shows in North America as part of a mini tour for the album.^[7]

Critical reception

− received a score of 65 out of 100 based on 14 critics' reviews at review aggregator Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable" reception. Alexis Petridis of The Guardian called it "easily his best ever album", an "insular record" on which Sheeran's "crowd-pleasing excesses are nowhere to be seen". Petridis acclaimed Sheeran's work with Aaron Dessner, who provides "atmospheric and beautifully done" as well as "understated string arrangements; twinkling, spectral synthesisers; gentle breezes of feedback and reverb-drenched electric guitars". Neil McCormick of The Telegraph gave the album five out of five stars, describing it as "a fluid, emotional, anxious and atmospheric album of therapeutic self-healing, in which the raw immediacy of Sheeran's feelings takes priority, shaking and warping material in subtle, twisty and deeply personal directions".

Nick Levine of NME wrote that − "definitely feels different. It's doleful and downbeat, melancholy and heartfelt, and doesn't contain anything as crass as 2017's cod-Irish folk song 'Galway Girl. Levine also found that the album "feels like a warm but cautious hug from a sensitive friend – Dessner gives Sheeran space to say what's on his mind without trying to crowd him", also complimenting Sheeran's lyrics' "striking specificity". Robin Murray of Clash judged the "parallels" to Taylor Swift's Folklore, also produced by Dessner, to be "too neat to miss: removing the gloss, exposing the songwriting underneath, and swapping pop for a more 'serious' artform". Murray wrote that the "results are affecting, but – and this remains Ed Sheeran, after all – not devoid of schmaltz". At Rolling Stone, Maura Johnston said the album is "deliberately arranged, providing solid ground for Sheeran's meditations on a horrific collection of events", while his "lyricism returns to the spotlight, bolstered by finely detailed music that complements his crystalline lyrics and close-confidant delivery."^[8] Exclaim! listed the album cover as 10th worst of the year, writing: "the platonic ideal of guy-at-the-party-with-an-acoustic-guitar returns with an image of his own face smeared in what we truly can't believe is not butter. Given how flavourless his music is, we assume it's unsalted."^[9]

The Independents Roisin O'Connor described − as "a departure, of sorts, for the better", on which Dessner brings his "anti-major chord, damper-pedalled piano style", "which in turn harks back to the acoustic-leaning sound of Sheeran's earliest work". O'Connor felt that "Lyrically, the album does fall short, but then Sheeran has spent over a decade trading in vague yet universal issues" although "he's trying his best to open up". Steven Loftin of The Line of Best Fit opined that while the album "doesn't follow [Sheeran's] usual routine", "it certainly doesn't fall far from the tree", and that it "throws into question why he doesn't at least attempt some form of progress" as he "seems happy to play to the masses with his own by-the-book formula that even when it employs the hottest new indie producer, still feels lost". The Observers noted critic Kitty Empire regards the album as a visceral one dealing with mental health issues in a "coping to not coping" adult way. From The New York Times, Jon Pareles stated "They're sturdy songs, even as Sheeran sings about fragile emotions", whilst "Obviously, Sheeran doesn't worry about verbal clichés — though in these songs, the sorrowful tone makes them sound more unguarded than banal."^[10]

Commercial performance

In the UK, − debuted as Sheeran's sixth number one on the UK Albums Chart with 76,000 chart units, becoming the fastest-selling album of 2023 until then. Physical sales constituted 71% of the figure, and it was also the best-selling album on the vinyl format during the week.^[11] The album entered at number two on the US Billboard 200 with 112,000 album-equivalent units, including 81,000 pure sales, during its first week. The sales figure outdid any sales week of Sheeran's last two albums and, at the time, marked the 10th-largest sales week of 2023 for any album.^[12] In Canada, it peaked at number two.

The album reached number one in Australia. In New Zealand, the album charted at number one. Elsewhere, it peaked at number one in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Scotland, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Awards and nominations

The album was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.^[13]

Track listing

Track numbers are based on the deluxe CD edition.

Personnel

Musicians

• Ed Sheeran – vocals (all tracks), backing vocals (tracks 1, 2, 5, 7–12, 14–18), acoustic guitar (1, 4, 6, 14), electric guitar (5, 18)
• Aaron Dessner – acoustic guitar (1–3, 8, 12, 17, 18), hi-string guitar (1–3, 17), grand piano (1), bass guitar (2–6, 8, 12, 15, 17), bass synthesizer (2, 3, 5–11, 13, 14, 17), drum programming (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10–13, 15, 17), electric guitar (2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 15, 17), piano (2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 13–17), Juno synthesizer (2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17), synthesizer (2, 5–7, 9, 11–13, 16, 17), Prophet synthesizer (2, 7, 10, 12, 15, 16), tambourine (2, 8, 10, 11, 13, 17), Wurlitzer (2), shaker (4, 8, 10, 17), Mellotron (5, 6, 8, 9, 11–13, 17), percussion (5, 6), programming (7), upright piano (7, 8), synthesizer piano (11); cymbals, Minimoog, organ (12); electric piano (16)
• Rob Moose – orchestration, viola, violin (1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 18); cello, (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 18), piano (4)
• James McAlister – drum programming (1, 2, 6, 8, 11), synthesizer (1, 3, 6, 11, 16, 17), Moog (3, 16), shaker (3), drums (5, 8, 15), samples (5, 7), Juno synthesizer (8); lyra, Prophet synthesizer (16)
• Clarice Jensen – cello (2, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 17)
• Bryce Dessner – orchestration (2, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 17), synthesizer (2, 6, 8, 13, 17), Omnisphere synthesizer (10, 12)
• Yuki Numata Resnick – violin (2, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 17)
• Kyle Resnick – whistle (2), trumpet (11, 12)
• Fred – backing vocals, bass guitar, drums, electric guitar, keyboards, programming (3)
• Max Martin – programming (3)
• Shellback – programming (3)
• Thomas Bartlett – piano (4, 6, 8, 10, 14), synthesizer (4, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16), Prophet synthesizer (4, 11), Rhodes solo (4, 16), Mellotron (6, 10), bass synthesizer (16)
• J.T. Bates – drums (5, 6, 9–11, 13)
• James Krivchenia – drums (5, 12), percussion (5), shaker (12)
• Benjamin Lanz – synthesizer (5, 7), trombone (11, 12)
• Dave Nelson – trombone (5, 8, 10, 12, 13, 17)
• Jason Treuting – percussion (8)
• Reid Jenkins – violin (13)
• Lisa Hannigan – backing vocals (15, 17)

Technical

• Aaron Dessner – production (all tracks), engineering (11, 12), recording (2, 6–8, 14), additional engineering (2, 6–10, 14)
• Fred – production (3)
• Max Martin – production (3)
• Shellback – production (3)
• Randy Merrill – mastering
• Jonathan Low – mixing (1, 2, 4–18), engineering (all tracks), recording (1–8, 13–18)
• Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing (3)
• Bella Blasko – engineering (2, 3, 5–17), recording (2, 5–8, 13, 17)
• Cormac O'Kane – engineering, recording (3)
• Michael Ilbert – engineering, recording (3)
• Clarice Jensen – engineering (13), recording (2, 6, 8, 13, 17), additional engineering (2, 6, 8, 10, 12, 17)
• Ashton Miranda – engineering, recording (18)
• James McAlister – recording, additional engineering (1, 8, 15–17)
• Rob Moose – recording (1, 3–5, 7, 14, 18), additional engineering (1, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 18)
• Kyle Resnick – recording (2, 6, 8, 13, 17), additional engineering (2, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 17)
• Richard Brown – recording (3)
• Thomas Bartlett – recording, additional engineering (4, 16)
• Benjamin Lanz – recording, additional engineering (5, 7)
• Dave Nelson – recording (5, 8, 13, 17), additional engineering (5, 8, 10, 12, 13, 17)
• J.T. Bates – recording, additional engineering (6, 7)
• Alex Proctor – recording, additional engineering (7)
• Jason Treuting – recording, additional engineering (8)
• Ber Quinn – recording, additional engineering (15)
• Lisa Hannigan – recording, additional engineering (17)
• Matt Wolach – mixing assistance (3)
• Reid Jenkins – additional engineering (13)

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"

Peak position
Croatian International Albums (HDU)^[14]	1
Icelandic Albums (Plötutíðindi)^[15]	6
Japanese Combined Albums (Oricon)^[16]	8
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)^[17]	7
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)^[18]	26
Slovak Albums (ČNS IFPI)^[19]	5

Year-end charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"

Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)^[20]	28
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)^[21]	52
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)^[22]	42
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)^[23]	100
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)^[24]	85
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)^[25]	25
French Albums (SNEP)^[26]	75
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)^[27]	18
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)^[28]	20
UK Albums (OCC)^[29]	23
US Billboard 200^[30]	169

Release history

Region! scope="col"

Date	Format(s)	Edition(s)	Label
Various	5 May 2023		Standard		^[31]
			Deluxe		^[32]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Gerber . Arielle . 5 May 2023 . Ed Sheeran Drops New Album 'Subtract' Right After Winning Copyright Case: Tracklist, Tourdates, More . 5 October 2023 . Music Times.
2. Mier . Tomás . Ed Sheeran Announces Final Mathematical-Themed Album 'Subtract' . . 1 March 2023 . 1 March 2023 . 1 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230301090756/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ed-sheeran-subtract-album-1234688629/ . live .
3. Aniftos . Rania . Ed Sheeran Announces New Album '-' . . 1 March 2023 . 1 March 2023 . 1 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230301092419/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/ed-sheeran-new-album-subtract-1235277002/ . live .
4. Web site: MacCary . Julia . Ed Sheeran to Release New Album '-' in May, Detailing Spiral Through 'Fear, Depression and Anxiety' . . 1 March 2023 . 1 March 2023 . 1 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230301090237/https://variety.com/2023/music/news/ed-sheeran-new-album-subtract-release-date-1235539127/ . live .
5. Web site: Hudson . Alex . 2 March 2023 . The National's Aaron Dessner Produced Ed Sheeran's New Album . Exclaim! . 2 March 2023 . 2 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230302195146/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/the_nationals_aaron_dessner_produced_ed_sheerans_new_album . live .
6. Web site: Ed Sheeran says wife developed tumour in pregnancy, as he announces new album. BBC News. 1 March 2023. 1 March 2023. 1 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230301094249/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64809475. live.
7. Web site: Ed Sheeran on Instagram: "I'm playing some smaller theatre shows in North America this summer, so I can play Subtract the entire way through with full band in an intimate setting. Sign up for on-sale access, link in stories. Tickets on sale Tues 2nd May x" . 30 April 2023 . Instagram . en . 30 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230430005937/https://www.instagram.com/p/CrlTPnxIDvG/ . live .
8. Review: Ed Sheeran's 'Subtract'. Rolling Stone. Johnston. Maura. Maura Johnston. 5 May 2023. 8 May 2023. 5 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230505134641/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/ed-sheeran-subtract-1234728386/. live.
9. Web site: Hudson . Alex . Bell . Kaelen . LaPierre . Megan . Exclaim!'s 25 Worst Album Covers of 2023 . . 2024-04-03 . en . 2023-12-14.
10. News: Ed Sheeran Lets His Tears Flow on '-'. The New York Times. Pareles. Jon. Jon Pareles. 8 May 2023. 9 May 2023. 8 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230508224951/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/08/arts/music/ed-sheeran-subtract-review.html. live.
11. Web site: Smith . Carl . Ed Sheeran secures fastest-selling album of 2023 so far with Subtract . . 24 August 2023 . 12 May 2023 . 12 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230512163530/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/ed-sheeran-secures-fastest-selling-album-of-2023-so-far-with-subtract__39249/ . live .
12. Caulfield . Keith . Morgan Wallen's One Thing at a Time Spends 10th Week at No. 1 on Billboard 200 . . 24 August 2023 . 14 May 2023 . 21 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230521194510/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/morgan-wallen-one-thing-at-a-time-10th-week-number-one-billboard-200-chart-1235329357/ . live .
13. Grammys 2024: The Complete Winners List . Guglielmi . Jodi . . February 4, 2024 . April 21, 2024.
14. Web site: Lista prodaje 19. tjedan 2024. 1 May 2023. Top of the Shops. hr. 25 May 2024. 25 May 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240525075722/https://www.top-lista.hr/www/lista-prodaje-strano-19-tjedan-2023/. live.
15. Web site: Tónlistinn – Plötur – Vika 19 – 2023. Plötutíðindi. is. The Music – Albums – Week 19 – 2023. 14 May 2023. 31 October 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221031002911/https://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn/. live.
16. Web site: Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2023-05-15 . . 12 May 2023 . ja . 12 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230512053346/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/coa/w/2023-05-15/ . live .
17. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of May 10, 2023. Billboard Japan. ja. 10 May 2023. 10 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230510153652/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums&year=2023&month=05&day=15. live.
18. Web site: 2023 19-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). AGATA. lt. 12 May 2023. 12 May 2023. 12 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230512165255/https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/s19-2/. live.
19. Web site: Slovak Albums – Top 100. ČNS IFPI. 29 May 2024.
20. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Albums Chart for 2023. Australian Recording Industry Association. 12 January 2024.
21. Web site: Ö3 Austria Top40 Jahrescharts 2023. Ö3 Austria Top 40. de. 28 December 2023. 28 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231228085855/https://oe3.orf.at/charts/stories/oe3austriatop40longplay/. live.
22. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2023. Ultratop. nl. 7 January 2024.
23. Web site: Rapports annuels 2023. Ultratop. fr. 7 January 2024.
24. Web site: Album Top-100 2023. Hitlisten. 13 January 2024.
25. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Album 2023. dutchcharts.nl. nl. 3 January 2024.
26. Web site: 2023: La dynamique de la production et de la consommation musicales en France. SNEP. fr. 8 January 2024. 13 January 2024.
27. Web site: Jahrescharts 2023 Album. GfK Entertainment charts. de. 10 December 2023.
28. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2023. hitparade.ch. 31 December 2023.
29. Web site: End of Year Albums Chart – 2023. Official Charts Company. 3 January 2024.
30. Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2023. Billboard. 23 November 2023.
31. - standard release formats:
    • Web site: Subtract Cassette . 1 March 2023 . Ed Sheeran - Official Store . 1 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230301103121/https://store.edsheeran.com/gb/ed-sheeran/subtract-cassette/5054197434266.html . live .
    • Web site: Subtract CD . 1 March 2023 . Ed Sheeran - Official Store . 1 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230301103121/https://store.edsheeran.com/gb/ed-sheeran/subtract-cd/5054197163395.html . live .
    • Web site: Subtract Download Standard . 18 April 2023 . Warner Music Australia Store . 18 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230418015313/https://store.warnermusic.com.au/artists/ed-sheeran/subtract-download-standard . live .
    • Web site: - by Ed Sheeran . 18 April 2023 . Apple Music (UK) . 19 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230419020516/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/1673798437 . live .
    • Web site: Subtract Yellow Vinyl . 1 March 2023 . Ed Sheeran - Official Store . 1 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230301103121/https://store.edsheeran.com/gb/ed-sheeran/subtract-yellow-vinyl/5054197170577.html . live .
32. - deluxe release formats:
    • Web site: Subtract Deluxe CD . 1 March 2023 . Ed Sheeran - Official Store . 1 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230301103121/https://store.edsheeran.com/gb/ed-sheeran/subtract-deluxe-cd/5054197461514.html . live .
    • Web site: - (Deluxe) by Ed Sheeran . 18 April 2023 . Apple Music (UK) . 18 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230418005302/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/deluxe/1673804537 . live .
    • Web site: - (Deluxe), Ed Sheeran . 18 April 2023 . Qobuz . 18 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230418005304/https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/-ed-sheeran/iil47racr99ac . live .
    • Web site: Subtract Deluxe Splatter Vinyl . 1 March 2023 . Ed Sheeran - Official Store . 1 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230301103121/https://store.edsheeran.com/gb/ed-sheeran/subtract-deluxe-splatter-vinyl/5054197297526.html . live .