Ed Sheeran: My dad checked the music on my new album

Ed Sheeran has said he takes new music to his dad [John] to get honest advice.

During a live session at Maida Vale on Radio 1 for Zane Lowe he said his dad thought a finished version of new album X (Multiply) wasn't as good as demo tracks.

He added: "It annoyed me because I just wanted to be done. But actually we polished up the demos and he was right, it worked."

"You can tell which [version of a song] is better by playing them to your dad."

The Maida Vale session took place in front of an intimate studio audience

The session started with a live hottest record, One, the second single released from his second album.

The Lego House singer then played for 50 minutes including previous singles and three more songs from the new album.

He also covered Bruce Springsteen's Atlantic City.

The singer said his father is "a very important figure in my life"

Talking about how the album came together, the 23-year-old said: "At the time of writing them [the demo tracks] I was kind of putting stuff down as the recording was going, they hold a different energy, more emotion, more raw."

He also said he felt the pressure of releasing a follow up to 2011's debut album +, which went to number one in the UK album chart.

"The sophomore album is, it's not make or break, but you can go from a theatre artist and you can go anywhere. You can go on to stadiums, to big fields.

"Anyone who gets the second album away is good, so that's all that's been on my mind."

Sheeran said that in the month since he last appeared on the DJ's show he's done a worldwide promotional tour

The singer said he hasn't listened to + since it was released and "probably won't" listen to the new album after it comes out on 23 June.

Sing, the first single released from X, was a collaboration with Pharrell Williams.

Ed Sheeran, who will be playing at this year's Radio 1 Big Weekend, also told Zane Lowe he's also worked on music with Jessie Ware, Skrillex and Usher.

The musician said his new loop station is "a monster"

The singer will also start a UK and Ireland tour, which includes four dates at London's O2 on 9 October.

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