Ed Sheeran seems to be on a major songwriting spree; even more than usual. The release of his seventh album, Autumn Variations, comes just four months after the release of his final pop album in his ‘Mathmatics’ theme, Subtract.

Autumn Variations marks the first album Ed’s released on his own record label, Gingerbread Man Records. With that came a feeling of freedom, creatively and without pressure to have it perform at the top of the charts, as his albums are accustomed to.

As the English singer-songwriter hopes this new 14-track album will provide fans with “the feeling of a hug”, it’s more monotone and stripped-back, making it an easy yet still personable listen.

Since his inspiration came from former composer Elgar’s Enigma Variations album, Ed wanted put a modernized spin on it and write about how life can simultaneously look so different for the global collective. He achieves exactly that, following themes of new beginnings (‘Head > Heels’), unexpected endings (‘Plastic Bag’), and even reference of warm feelings in cold weather, just to name a few. The result is a body of work that gives an zoomed out perspective of the juxtaposition between seasons changing literally and metaphorically. It’s also classically introspective, as is Ed’s shining staple. ‘When Will I Be Alright’, ‘Amazing’, and ‘Page’, gives a rare glimpse into his humanity and the doubts and insecurities we all face.

These may seem like uncomfortable themes, but the warmth in the album can be found in the hopeful lyrics that are still sprinkled throughout, as if a ray of sunshine is coming through the tree at the exact moment its leaves are falling, with sentiments such as “even my worst days of my life will always end at midnight”, and “lost in love and we don’t want to be found”.

It’s raw and real, which is perfectly acceptable for any season.