Ed Sheeran is back with Play, his eighth studio album and the long-awaited beginning of his ambitious “symbol series.” Released on September 12 through Gingerbread Man Records and Atlantic Records, the album signals a return to large-scale pop after his more stripped-back projects Subtract and Autumn Variations in 2023. With Play, Sheeran opens a new creative chapter that promises to stretch across five interconnected albums, each named after a familiar media button: Pause, Fast Forward, Rewind, and Stop will follow in the years to come. But right now, the spotlight is firmly on Play.
The album runs 13 tracks deep and features a mix of heartfelt storytelling, experimental production, and Sheeran’s signature melodic hooks. It begins with one of his strongest opening sequences to date, carried by tracks like “Sapphire,” “Azizam,” and “Old Phone.”
Still, Play is not without its dips. While the first half is stacked with highlights, some of the later tracks feel less essential, softening the overall impact as the album winds down. Even so, this is a confident return to form, one that positions Sheeran at the center of the pop conversation once again. Play earns an impressive score of around 8.0—a very strong release that sets the tone for everything to follow.
With that in mind, here’s our ranking of the best songs from Ed Sheeran’s Play.
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