"Afterglow" is a song by English singer
Ed Sheeran. Released on 21 December 2020, the song marked Sheeran's first single release in more than 18 months.[2][3] An accompanying music video features a one-take performance by Sheeran with solo acoustic guitar accompaniment.[4][5]
On 20 December 2020, after having taken an extended hiatus from public life, Sheeran returned to social media to announce his new single: "Hey guys. 'Afterglow' is a song I wrote last year that I wanted to release for you". He further explained that the song is "not the first single from the next album" but just a song he loves.[7]
Cover art
The cover art depicts an original piece of
action painting created by Sheeran himself.[7][8]
Critical reception
The song received generally positive reviews from critics. Billboard's Gil Kaufmann described the song as a "spare acoustic ballad" that features a "haunting chorus".[8] Zoe Haylock of Vulture compared the song to
Taylor Swift's latest surprise releases, saying he "took a page out of Taylor Swift's book and surprised fans with a new single" and went on to describe the track as one of his "acoustic bangers".[3] Morgan Hines of USA Today thought the song, accompanied by a "mellow melody", "exudes a feeling of intimacy during an emotional time between loved ones".[9]
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ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 202114 into search. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
^"
ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 20211 into search. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
"Afterglow" is a song by English singer
Ed Sheeran. Released on 21 December 2020, the song marked Sheeran's first single release in more than 18 months.[2][3] An accompanying music video features a one-take performance by Sheeran with solo acoustic guitar accompaniment.[4][5]
On 20 December 2020, after having taken an extended hiatus from public life, Sheeran returned to social media to announce his new single: "Hey guys. 'Afterglow' is a song I wrote last year that I wanted to release for you". He further explained that the song is "not the first single from the next album" but just a song he loves.[7]
Cover art
The cover art depicts an original piece of
action painting created by Sheeran himself.[7][8]
Critical reception
The song received generally positive reviews from critics. Billboard's Gil Kaufmann described the song as a "spare acoustic ballad" that features a "haunting chorus".[8] Zoe Haylock of Vulture compared the song to
Taylor Swift's latest surprise releases, saying he "took a page out of Taylor Swift's book and surprised fans with a new single" and went on to describe the track as one of his "acoustic bangers".[3] Morgan Hines of USA Today thought the song, accompanied by a "mellow melody", "exudes a feeling of intimacy during an emotional time between loved ones".[9]
^"
ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 202114 into search. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
^"
ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 20211 into search. Retrieved 11 January 2021.