Ed Sheeran, the global superstar known for his heartfelt ballads and acoustic anthems, has unveiled his eighth studio album, Play, marking a vibrant shift from the introspective tones of his recent work. Released on September 12, 2025, via Gingerbread Man Records and Atlantic Records, the 13-track collection clocks in at 44 minutes and is already streaming on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Coming three years after the somber Autumn Variations (2023) and his mathematical-themed greatest hits compilation +−=÷×, Play represents a deliberate pivot toward happiness and experimentation.
Play
Listen to Play on Spotify · album · Ed Sheeran · 2025 · 13 songs
In a recent interview with CBS Mornings, Sheeran explained the album’s origins: “All the gigs around [my previous work] were heavy. So I just wanted to kind of do the polar opposite of that with this record.” He described Play as a response to “the darkest periods” of his life, including personal losses and emotional struggles, now replaced by a sense of balance as a settled family man. “I think within my life as a whole, very settled, very calm, very happy. Everything feels good,” he shared. This lighter chapter infuses the album with pure joy, focusing on “creative play” and unfiltered artistic expression.
Musically, Play expands Sheeran’s signature pop-folk sound with bold global influences, particularly from Indian and Persian traditions—elements that connect surprisingly to his Irish folk roots through shared scales, rhythms, and melodies. Collaborators like producer Ilya Salmanzadeh (known for work with Ariana Grande), Blake Slatkin, Cirkut, Omer Fedi, Savan Kotecha, Elvira Anderfjärd, and Johnny McDaid helped craft this eclectic mix. Sheeran called it “the most exciting thing I’ve done as an artist so far,” emphasizing sounds rarely heard in Western pop.
The album’s singles set the playful tone early. Lead track “Azizam” (Persian for “my dear”), released in April 2025, draws from Farsi music and features a collaboration with Iranian singer Googoosh; its video, directed by Liam Pethick, was filmed at Sheeran’s beloved Ipswich FC grounds. “Old Phone,” dropped alongside the album announcement in May, is a sentimental acoustic gem co-produced by Ilya and Slatkin, evoking nostalgia through old photos and memories. Other singles include the uptempo “Sapphire” (a Punjabi-Western pop fusion), “A Little More,” and “Camera,” each building buzz with promotional stunts like a Coachella pop-up pub and open-top bus gigs.
Critics have praised Play‘s glossy production and emotional depth. The Guardian’s Alexis Petridis called it “solid” and “dependable,” noting surprising undercurrents in tracks like “Symmetry” (with Indian percussion and sub-bass) and “Don’t Look Down” (featuring rave synths and house beats). The Independent highlighted Sheeran’s “reliably rich” vocals and standout efforts like “Azizam” and “Sapphire.” On Apple Music, Sheeran reflected on the album as a “pop revival,” hinting it might be one of his last big pop outings before dipping back into singer-songwriter territory.
For fans, Play isn’t just music—it’s an invitation to fun. Sheeran promoted it with whimsical touches, like rapping in trailers and envisioning future albums in his “life cycle” series: Fast Forward, Rewind, Stop, and even a posthumous Eject. As he tours stadiums worldwide, this album reaffirms why Ed Sheeran remains a force: blending vulnerability with unbridled energy.
