Ed Sheeran’s Play is a pop-driven reset that blends global sounds with heartfelt storytelling, opening a bold new chapter in his career.
After closing the chapter on his "Mathematics" series, Ed Sheeran is stepping into a bold new phase with his eighth studio album Play. The album explores the universal threads of scale, rhythm, and melody that tie together musical traditions across centuries, shaping them into a vibrant, pop-driven collection.
Play marks Sheeran’s return to big pop after the stripped-back approach of – (Subtract) and Autumn Variations. This time he leans into global influences, weaving Persian strings on “Azizam,” Punjabi beats on “Sapphire,” and collaborations that reach across cultures. “Azizam,” released in April with a Persian version featuring Googoosh, introduced the project, while “Sapphire” arrived in June featuring Indian superstar Arijit Singh and a cameo from Shah Rukh Khan in its video. Singles “Old Phone” and “A Little More” followed through the summer, setting the stage for the release-day track “Camera.”
The album is also the first chapter in a larger vision. Sheeran has confirmed Play will be followed by four companion records, Pause, Rewind, Fast-forward, and Stop, a five-album pentalogy that reflects his long-term creative planning. He has even hinted at a posthumous album titled Eject to close the circle one day.
At its core, Play is a re-centering for Sheeran. After the personal losses, legal battles, and creative burnout of recent years, he has described this project as a reset and a return to joy. The global collaborations, the communal energy, and the emphasis on melody and rhythm reflect his renewed commitment to music as connection.