Ed Sheeran Hits ‘Play’ on a New Sound — Album Drops This September
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Omar Haddad
- . August 5, 2025
- . Update: August 5, 2025 7:09 pm
Ed Sheeran is back — but not as you know him. On September 12, 2025, the Grammy-winning singer will release his next album, simply titled ‘Play’. It’s not just a title; it’s a shift in mood, style, and creative direction.
After a decade of mathematically themed albums (+, ×, ÷, =), ‘Play’ opens a new “symbol era” — a concept-driven series set to explore different emotional and sonic spaces. This time, Ed goes acoustic again, but with global rhythm and texture woven through every track.
So, what makes ‘Play’ special?
It’s Personal.
In “Old Phone,” released May 1, Ed took real messages from a forgotten iPhone and turned them into lyrics. It’s like a voicemail from the past, wrapped in soft guitar chords.
It’s Global.
“Azizam” (April 2025) dives into Persian instrumentation — and sounds like something from a desert sunrise.
It’s Cinematic.
“Sapphire,” released in June, blends Indian pop with acoustic warmth — and the music video features none other than Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan.
The Vibe
Think: backpacking with a guitar. Think: journaling in different time zones. Think: Ed Sheeran unplugged, but plugged into the world.
We don’t have the full tracklist yet, but if these singles are any clue, ‘Play’ is shaping up to be Sheeran’s most soulful and worldly project yet.
