So Tell Me When it Kicks In

Early last week, popular singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran released his music video for the song "Bloodstream." Bloodstream is a song off his album 'X' and features the English band, Rudimental. The music video was far from the last love-struck video Sheeran released, and in fact takes on a more serious tone. The video stars Ray Liotta, who is portrayed as an older musician who seems to have had much too long in the spotlight, and is starting to become exhausted by it.
The musician seems to have a Gatsby complex; a big home, with lots of money and things he doesn't need, who spends his days perplexed over what he's had and spends his nights drinking and doing drugs to a point of no return. He even falls into some water...
...Okay that may be where I draw the Gatsby conclusion from, but still, it's pretty similar. (Also may a little funny).
Anyway, the music video seems to fit well with the song itself. I think the lyric "this is how it ends, I feel the chemicals burn in my blood stream," pairs well with the aging musician, who is seeing where his life has ended up, and can feel the wear and tear getting to him. It does seem a little comical sometimes, while the musician is stumbling over some women and appearing to be singing karaoke, but the video does kind of hit a serious note. Not many people think about the spotlight and what it does to people, especially when they're worn out and can keep up with the masses and the tastes of the new generations. Maybe it's time that this guy goes on a vacation where nobody knows his name...
I think that the music video was pretty good, and showed a very similar quality to Sheeran's other music videos. They are always a little bit ambiguous, with room open for a few different interpretations, but the main message is always clear. And, they are most definitely always unique. To be honest, I was pretty surprised that this was the song he chose to release as a single next, because there were a lot of other songs off the album that stood out more for me, but I think I understand now. With Rudimental collabing with him and the idea for the music video, I suppose it's starting to make sense now.

The video is also presented by the YouTube Music Awards.

Thinking Out Loud

Ed Sheeran's music video for his song "Thinking Out Loud," probably killed millions of fangirls back in October when he released it. It was one of his only music videos that he was actually in the entire time - something that many dedicated fans weren't used to, and better yet he was ballroom dancing. In my opinion, as a loyal fan, this was such a good move and better than any romance music video that would try to have something meaningful behind it and become cliche.

 The dancing wasn't some intricate interpretive dance that would take a while to interpret. It was just a "couple" dancing to a romantic ballad, and it was honestly one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. I've never seen Ed dance like this or act like this.


The song since has quickly become one of the greatest romance songs of the year, becoming the next wedding song, Ed even performed it at a few weddings himself. His music seems to inspire, and his videos follow straight through with that. His videos have always been interesting and entertaining; they have included things such as carrying a strong message, talking cats, Rupert Grint pretending to be Ed, dancing puppets, dancing incorporated ASL, and many other things.

 

 


I have never once felt disappointed by his music videos, and he has always surprised me with the angle they've taken. I guess, what I mostly have to say about this is that Ed Sheeran, to me, is one of the greatest entertainers alive right now. He's willing to do what it takes to please fans, and he's got some serious guitar and vocal skills up his sleeve.  Now that he can ballroom dance, isn't he the whole packaged deal?  I think he has amassed many more fans since the release of the music video.

I will never get over this beautiful ballad and dance. Well done to Ed Sheeran and his team.

 He's even announced a North American headlining tour in the past week. He's heading to places he's never been on his own, (since he accompanied Taylor Swift on her Red tour).

More info on that here.
Watch his YouTube videos on his YouTube channel here.