Global music star Ed Sheeran is set to release his new album “Play” on Friday, just weeks before embarking on a major tour across the United States.
The project marks Sheeran’s eighth studio album, arriving two years after Autumn Variations (2023). Known for his genre-blending sound and heartfelt songwriting, the 34-year-old singer-songwriter remains one of the most streamed artists worldwide, with hits like Shape of You and Perfect dominating global charts.
Sheeran described Play as a joyful creation born out of personal struggles. “I made this album as a direct response to the darkest period of my life,” he said, adding that the goal was to “create joy and technicolour.”
Recording sessions took place across several countries before the final touches were completed in Goa, India.
The album also fits into a larger creative plan. Earlier this year, Sheeran revealed that his next four records would be titled Pause, Rewind, Fast-Forward, and Stop, following his earlier string of mathematically themed albums Plus, Multiply, Divide, Subtract, and Equals.
While promoting the project, Sheeran also addressed his upcoming move to the U.S. with his family. Reports suggested he was leaving the UK permanently, but the singer clarified on Instagram that the relocation is temporary and linked to his tour schedule. “I’m not moving. I’m going on tour with my family and relocating to the continent I’m touring on,” he wrote, stressing that the decision was not “a tax thing” and that he will continue to pay taxes in the UK.
The Grammy winner will appear at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas on September 20 before touring Europe, New Zealand, and Australia through March 2026.
With Play, Sheeran signals both a return to the road and a fresh creative chapter, reinforcing his status as one of the most enduring voices in modern pop.
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