It's a great day for Macklemore & Ryan Lewis fans — and an even better one for those who love Ed Sheeran, too. The duo has enlisted the ginger singer-songwriter for their first new music together since 2012's The Heist, a confessional track called "Growing Up (Sloane's Song)."

As Macklemore fans may have gleaned from the title, "Growing Up" is an open letter to the rapper's infant daughter: "They say boys don't cry / But your dad has shed a lot of tears / They say I should be a strong man / But baby I'm still filled with fear." 

 

Over Lewis' high-hat-heavy production, Macklemore expresses anxiety over being a good parent, living up to gender roles and the strength of his upcoming album, among other things. He also dishes out prom advice and recommends studying Tupac and James Baldwin. It's perhaps a lot to unload on a small human who is still sharpening her English-language skills, but anyone who's been a new parent will likely relate to many of the lyrics.

Sheeran chimes in on the chorus, "I'll be patient, one more month / Wrap your fingers round my thumb." Like "Same Love," this one is clearly aiming for the heart strings.

Billboard reports that "Growing Up" is not the lead single on the group's awaited release, just a "personal moment of expression." You can download the song for free on Macklemore's site, where there's also a note about the song's meaning. He writes, "Our daughter, Sloane Ava Simone Haggerty was born 2 months ago on May 29th.  There is nothing like the joy and happiness that comes from bringing a baby into this universe. She has filled my heart in ways that I never knew were possible. She is the love of my life. This song is for her.”

Let us know what you think of Macklemore's soul-baring return to music in the comments below.

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