Ed Sheeran is back with new music, taking a bold leap with his latest album Play, released on Friday. This marks the beginning of a new chapter for the global pop star, following the conclusion of his long-running Mathematics series.
The album is already generating buzz for its distinctive soundscape, which blends global styles with Sheeran's signature pop flair.
“Symmetry” leads the charge
The spotlight track, “Symmetry,” is a vibrant dance-pop anthem that builds on the success of his earlier hit “Sapphire.” Opening with looped vocals and a mix of traditional Indian percussion – dhol, tabla, even the bouzouki – the song drives forward with a pulsing rhythm built for late nights and packed dancefloors. Fans can stream “Symmetry” now on Spotify.
Ed shared a post on Instagram, talking about his new album, he wrote, "Play is the album that’s made me fall in love with fun again. Writing and recording Subtract was so cathartic but also so heavy. Going into Stereo after Mathematics ended I wanted to start with the polar opposite. Play celebrates love, life, culture, exploring, creativity and technicolour."
"I’ve loved making this record and the last 6 months have been just what I needed to get back into the swing of things - to reheat my love for pop, and popping up. It’s an album I’m immensely proud of, and just makes me feel good. I hope it does the same for you. Thank you to all my insanely talented collaborators, and all the fans along the journey who have been at all our pop ups. More to come. Play is out now, lemme know in the comments what your fav song is x," he added.
Indian, Persian, and Irish folk all in one
What makes Play stand out is Ed Sheeran’s embrace of Indian and Persian influences. He’s drawn inspiration from musical traditions that, surprisingly, connect with the Irish folk roots he grew up with. Shared rhythms, scales, and melodies have helped him create what he describes as a “borderless musical language.”
It’s a sonic experiment but also feels like a natural extension of his evolution as an artist.
Classic Ed Sheeran still shines through
Of course, Play doesn’t abandon what fans love about Ed Sheeran. Alongside the experimental beats, there’s plenty of room for his heartfelt ballads and acoustic-driven moments his fans love. It’s the balance between the familiar and the new that makes this record feel transformative.
In short, Ed Sheeran is proving once again why he’s one of the most influential singer-songwriters of his generation.
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