Ed Sheeran and Yelawolf?? Eh?????

Yeah, you've got me stumped, but that is exactly what the officiial mixtape "The Slumdon Bridge" is.

Speaking of slumming… Yelawolf is OK, nothing great. But he is a better rapper than Sheeran. Sheeran is a better singer-songwriter than Yelawolf is a rapper, so altogether, they are coming together for one of the least memorable collaborations in recent memories.

It makes you wonder, exactly what is Sheeran thinking of? With his hugely successful UK album + yet to see the light of day Stateside, why would his second official release, after the excellent The A Team EP, be this astoundingly average straight up rap album? None of this sounds very popular, "Faces" has a better than mosy spitt rap from Yelawolf and…. And… and…

What the hell is this? I have listened to Slumdon several times and nothing stands out. Why this detour in his career…? I mean, I got it, he is a protean, multi-faceted magician. And maybe this will play in the UK where Sheeran is a star (though it was released January 24th and I didn't see any action on the UK Charts -and I monitor them), but it isn't gonna damn thing Stateside.

It is a disappointing effort. In some way it should be a home run but it is unfinished. You Don't Know… for fuck's sake" seems to have the brittle edge of hardcore rap with a strong and icey sample, but it isn't there.

Grade: B