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Thoughts on the new Ed Sheeran song "Eyes Closed"? (produced by Aaron Dessner)General Discussion (self.TheNational)

submitted by blokeafterwar

Never thought I'd ask this question in r/TheNational of all places, but here we are.

imo the song is okay. it's your average Ed Sheeran song but ngl since his latest album's produced by Aaron, I just kinda expected more out of this one.

That's just me though! I'm still happy that Aaron's now out there producing albums from the biggest popstars in music right now, and I wish him the best of luck. (Olivia Rodrigo & Aaron Dessner collab when?)

What do you all think of the song anyways?

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[–]Midnights-evermoreDark Side Of The Gym’s #1 fan 18 points19 points  (1 child)

This song is written by Ed, Max Martin & Shellback & produced by Aaron. The rest of the album is only Ed & Aaron

[–]blokeafterwar[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yeah that's what bothered me about the song, it didnt feel like it came from an Ed & Aaron album. Hope the rest of the album makes up for it though!

[–]fawnrossyou're a wasp nest 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I think this was chosen as a single because it will be the most radio-friendly and poppy song of the album. Honestly I didn't like it, it sounds like another song from him (Dive). Patiently waiting for the rest

[–]tropicmorningin a lemonworld 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I plan to listen to this record because I listen to anything Aaron works on but this is very much an Ed Sheeran song. It’s fine but I don’t see myself listening to it again. He coproduced it with Max Martin, who is basically the pop industry. I’m curious if they’re all coproduced.

[–]NeonChill 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It's a hard no from me, to be honest.

[–]Low-Kaleidoscope-149 16 points17 points  (8 children)

Very poppy, which is no shock. Kinda wild that they’re doing an album rollout for this sort of at the same time as the national. Does Aaron sleep? I was very worried that all of the stuff Aaron has been doing elsewhere would bleed into the national, particularly weird goodbyes and new order t shirt because they sound too generically poppy to me but tmn and eucalyptus restored my faith that he still can remember what the national as a band can/ should sound like. It’s hilarious to me that if you take a step back and think about like if ten years ago someone was like “Aaron from the National is going to become one of the biggest record producers in the world with the likes of Taylor swift and Ed Sheeran” I’d think they were out of their mind.

[–]blokeafterwar[S] 9 points10 points  (2 children)

Between the new National, Gracie Abrams and Ed Sheeran albums, I'd say 2023 is the Year of the Aaron

[–]kitokatokun 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think he might have been involved in the new ben Howard album coming out this year as well

Edit: never mind, apparently I was thinking of his last album

[–]apartmentstory89 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He worked with Nanna from Of Monsters And Men on her new album as well, out on may 5th

[–][deleted]  (4 children)

[deleted]

    [–]Low-Kaleidoscope-149 -3 points-2 points  (3 children)

    Yeah?

    [–][deleted]  (2 children)

    [deleted]

      [–]Low-Kaleidoscope-149 -3 points-2 points  (1 child)

      I’m thinking mostly about the music itself, not Matt’s vocal performance/melody.

      [–]DedHorsSaloon3 8 points9 points  (0 children)

      You couldn’t pay me to listen to an Ed Sheeran album (besides +) even if Aaron is producing it

      [–]silkalmondvanilla 4 points5 points  (0 children)

      Kind of a cool beat. Terrible lyrics and vocals. Will never listen again intentionally.

      [–]aiii_oiii 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      I wish they could stop this collabing spiral. Ed Sheeran is just gross.

      [–]bigguytoo9 7 points8 points  (0 children)

      Ed Sheeran cant make a decent song to save his life.

      [–]karenputmeinachair 4 points5 points  (9 children)

      I will always love, respect and admire Aaron (very important to note). As an outsider looking in (also important to note), sometimes I can't help but feel like some of his producing choices are $ or popularity based and that he is pretty bored with The National. And it makes me sad.

      [–]tegularian 12 points13 points  (2 children)

      I mean, building a powerhouse portfolio outside of the main band you work with is a very smart thing to do as a working musician in an industry with zero guarantees. If The National goes away for any reason, Aaron could work with literally anyone at this point. Could the same be said for most musicians in most bands, popular or not?

      [–]karenputmeinachair 0 points1 point  (1 child)

      Yeah you are right. Like I said, I am an outsider looking in and my opinions on this DO NOT MATTER. I am fully aware. I just don't wanna see him get swept up in Grammy chasing or something in order for him to be fulfilled as a musician.

      We love you Aaron.

      [–]tegularian 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      Oh, I know what you’re saying and I wasn’t trying to attack your opinion. Just offering a perspective. Sometimes the smart money isn’t the same thing as the creative money. And the creative money so rarely pays the bills. It’s a damn shame.

      [–]tropicmorningin a lemonworld 6 points7 points  (4 children)

      I think we hear the most about the biggest collaborations but I feel like Aaron is still collaborating more with other indie artists. He has more projects coming out with Eve Owen, Nanna from Of Monsters and Men, and Bess Atwell. There’s one more but I forgot his name. These are just the ones that have been made public

      [–]MoreIronOre 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      The album Complete Mountain Almanac that Aaron & Bryce did with their sister is great too imo.

      [–]Tankman_1 0 points1 point  (1 child)

      Interesting! Recently he had albums with Gracie Adams, ben Howard, Justin Vernon. Know anymore?

      [–]tropicmorningin a lemonworld 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      One of the more recent ones from last fall was with Indigo Sparke, which was a great indie folk album. He also had a few songs with King Princess and girl in red.

      [–]apartmentstory89 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      I think his comments about the new album shows that he is not bored with the band at all. He could just quit and produce other artists 100 % if that was the case.

      [–]TimmonsInc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      It’s got some Aaron flourishes, but it’s a very Sheeran song. It’s fine. It will probably be a massive hit.

      [–]duelbraids 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      I think it's a fine song, & Aaron's production highlights the lyrics well.

      [–]airclapper 1 point2 points  (5 children)

      As if collaborating with JJ Abrams’ daughter isn’t embarrassing enough.

      [–]karenputmeinachair 2 points3 points  (1 child)

      Wow I didn't even know that she was his daughter. I guess if the price is right...

      [–]Low-Kaleidoscope-149 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      Lol I had no idea either.

      [–]apartmentstory89 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      I’d take her music over Sheerans any day though.

      [–]stonergirl2637219 0 points1 point  (1 child)

      It’s a joke that this 20 year old girl comes out on stage and says “oh me and my FRIEND Aaron did this together” like no u got ur dad to pay lol

      [–]KevinInChains5262 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

      Ed’s been my guilty pleasure for years. I like it a lot.

      [–]Djopies -1 points0 points  (0 children)

      Just listened to it and I like it.

      [–]apartmentstory89 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      It’s not for me. Just reminded me why I don’t like Sheeran, I expected more but as someone pointed out Aaron didn’t write this.