Ed Sheeran says Olivia Rodrigo’s albums are ‘unskippable’

Screencap from Therapuss with Jake Shane/Spotify

It turns out that Ed Sheeran, the multi-platinum recording artist, is just as much of a music fan as the rest of us.

On a recent episode of the “Therapuss with Jake Shane” podcast, “The Thinking Out Loud” hitmaker couldn’t help but gush over Olivia Rodrigo and Britney Spears.

During the podcast, the “Supermarket Flowers” singer-songwriter and Shane were discussing debut singles that left an indelible mark on the music industry. When Shane mentioned the Filipino American Grammy-award-winning singer’s hit single “Drivers License,” Sheeran lit up.

“Both those records actually, ‘Guts’ and ‘Sour,’ are I think unskippable. It’s just, as a record, just a great record,” he said.

But Sheeran didn’t stop there. When asked to name another memorable and on-spot debut, he didn’t hesitate: Britney Spears’ iconic “Baby One More Time.” He even went as far as to dub Spears’ breakout hit one of the “top two or three best songs ever written.”

The conversation also veered towards other stellar debuts, with Sheeran and Shane both agreeing that Lana Del Rey’s “Video Games” deserves its place among the elite.

Earlier this year, the British singer-songwriter serenaded the Philippines with his global hits during his + – = ÷ x Tour in Manila on March 9. While in the capital city, he didn’t just partake in the Filipino tradition of karaoke before the concert but also found time to enjoy some local cuisine, including the all-time favorite Filipino dish, lechon.

Meanwhile, Rodrigo hinted at an upcoming concert in Manila with a “Stay tuned Manila” message. This teaser has left fans in the Philippines eagerly anticipating further announcements and speculating about a potential tour date in Manila.

So, next time you find yourself belting out “Drivers License” in your car or reminiscing about the first time you heard “Baby One More Time,” remember that Sheeran is probably doing the same thing. Just like us, he’s a fan who appreciates great music when he hears it.

Listen to the podcast here: Session 24: Ed Sheeran