Ed Sheeran’s career is at a crossroads. Earlier this month, he concluded his Mathematics world tour, which ran for 169 shows and spanned the releases of two albums: 2021’s = (Equals) and 2023’s – (Subtract). The Mathematics era in total has spanned his entire recording career, kicking off with 2011 debut + (Plus); 2014’s x (Multiply); 2017’s gargantuan ÷ (Divide) and totals as one of the 21st century’s most successful recording and touring musicians. His reputation and legacy as a modern great is richly deserved.
But in recent years, life got in the way. In 2022, his close friend Jamal Edwards – founder of influential online channel SBTV – died of an accidental overdose. His wife Cherry suffered a health scare during the pregnancy of their second child, a topic broached on the contemplative Subtract. Two legal cases around accusations of plagiarism – Sheeran denied all claims and won in court – sapped the joy out of songwriting for him.
Perhaps it comes as little surprise, then, that Sheeran has gone for a total reset with Play. It’s the start of a new era for the English pop star, and the first of his five planned symbol records — with Pause, Fast Forward, Rewind, and Stop set to follow in the coming years. His planned posthumous album Eject (seriously) is hopefully a long way off. The news that Sheeran was planning a “big pop” comeback after passion project Autumn Variations (2023) will be welcome news for his fans. When Sheeran is on form, there are few songwriters like him — and fewer still who are content to use his skills in such effective, crowd-pleasing ways. Experimental, avant-garde departures are not in the Sheeran songbook… and why should they be?
Play, his eighth LP in total, is a buoyant record that traverses moods and continents. Lead single “Azizam” features Persian influence, and several songs (“Sapphire”) were inspired by his shows and travels through India. This is Ed back at his vibrant best, and the start of a bright, brilliant new era; here’s how the 13 tracks on Play shake out.
