As unlikely musical sex symbols go, they probably don't get more improbable than Ed Sheeran. The doughy tattooed ginger has transcended his appearance via his appealing singing voice on "Thinking Out Loud" and "Sing" from his breakthrough 2014 album X, and the inescapable "Shape of You" from his 2017 album Divide (Atlantic). Sheeran doesn't veer too far from the formula that brought him success, which comes through loud and clear on "Dive," "Castle on the Hill" and the heartbreaking "Supermarket Flowers."
The Search for Everything (Columbia) is John Mayer's most soulful album in years. The writing is genuinely sophisticated, and Mayer's singing is at its most compelling. Irresistible opener "Still Feel Like Your Man" is 21st-century blue-eyed soul that neatly avoids cultural appropriation. Heartbreak is the dominant theme on the acoustic "Emoji of a Wave," followed by the funky "Helpless." The subtle stomp of "In the Blood" is Mayer at his most confessional. "Moving On and Getting Over" puts a funky spin on the break-up song. Mayer excels at sad songs "Never on the Day You Leave" and the Randy Newman-esque "You're Gonna Live Forever in Me."
On Beast Epic (Sub Pop), Sam Beam's sixth album as Iron & Wine, the singer-songwriter has returned to the more acoustically driven style of his early releases. This leads to a more intimate feel throughout the 11 songs. It does feel like a solid return to form, especially on "Claim Your Ghost" and "The Truest Stars We Know."
Canadian singer-songwriter Mac DeMarco is the kind of cool indie artist who deserves attention. DeMarco's third full-length album This Old Dog (Captured Tracks) is a giddy pleasure from start to finish. DeMarco's distinctive sense of humor, beginning with "My Old Man," in which he admits to beginning to see more of his father in himself, sets him apart. Other standout tunes include the 80s slow jams "On the Level" and "For the First Time" and closer "Watching Him Fade Away."
Of the four albums Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Seth Glier has recorded, his latest, Birds (MPress), feels like it could connect with the most people. The gospel choir on "Just Because I Can," the infectious retro-pop sensibility of "People Like Us," the blues rendition of Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth" and the beautiful ballad "Too Much Water" are all highly recommended.
On teen singer-songwriter Declan McKenna's terribly titled debut album What Do You Think About the Car? (Columbia), the opener "Humongous" sounds as big as its name. "The Kids Don't Wanna Come Home" is as bratty as you'd expect. "Make Me Your Queen" isn't as gay as you think. The album closes with the exceptional "Listen to Your Friends," co-written by McKenna and openly gay ex-Vampire Weekend member Rostam Batmanglij.