Ed Sheeran Brushes Off Blogger’s Harsh Critique with a Laugh

A musical TikTok blogger known as Swiftologist took a sharp jab at Ed Sheeran, likening his songs to illicit substances. The artist’s response was swift and unfazed—a single word that turned the critique into a fleeting moment of amusement.

Swiftologist argued that Sheeran’s hits hook listeners for the same reason people get drawn to forbidden highs: they’re catchy but lack substance, offering little nourishment for the mind. He went further, branding Sheeran’s work “soulless” and accusing him of holding the music industry hostage with his relentless output. Sheeran’s reply? A breezy “Lol.” The blogger quickly backpedaled with a half-hearted apology, though he doubled down on his view that Sheeran’s latest track, “Azizam,” feels like a rehash of old favorites like “Bad Habits” and “Shape of You.” He urged the singer to dig deeper for fresh inspiration. Interestingly, Swiftologist’s alias betrays his loyalty to Taylor Swift—a close friend and collaborator of Sheeran’s, their bond forged through shared stages and studio sessions.

Sheeran unveiled “Azizam” on April 4, a teaser for his upcoming album Play, slated for release in 2025. While the exact date remains under wraps, this marks his return to the bold, bright world of pop after a introspective detour. In 2023, he dropped two albums, Subtract and Autumn Variations, both shaped by The National’s Aaron Dessner. Those records leaned into raw emotion and folk sensibilities, a departure from his usual chart-topping fare. Sheeran even quipped that they weren’t built for ubiquity. So Swiftologist’s claim of creative stagnation doesn’t quite hold water—especially since “Azizam” weaves in threads of Persian folk music, echoing the lilt of Irish tunes that resonate with Sheeran’s roots.

By the evening of April 8, “Azizam” had racked up 6.4 million streams on Spotify. In the UK, it’s poised for success, sitting at number two on Apple Music’s local chart. Across the pond, though, it’s met with a cooler reception, languishing at 187 on the U.S. Apple Music list. The British charts will refresh on Friday evening, April 11, while the Billboard Hot 100 updates Monday night, April 14—time will tell where Sheeran’s latest lands.