Ed Sheeran has officially announced his eighth studio album, Play, which comes out on September 12 via Gingerbread Man Records. The British superstar once again proves to be tireless, as the album arrives just one week after the conclusion of his Mathematics World Tour, which wraps up on September 7. Additionally, he has just released a new single, “Old Phone.” With the album’s release only four months away, here’s everything you need to know about Ed Sheeran’s upcoming project, Play.
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Set for a mid-September release, Play arrives nearly two years after Autumn Variations. Unlike his previous albums, which followed a mathematical symbol theme, Play marks the beginning of a new era. Ed has revealed that future albums in this series will be titled Pause, Rewind, Fast Forward, and Stop. In a recent appearance on The Tonight Show, he shared that he conceived this concept at age 18, inspired by filmmaker Quentin Tarantino’s plan to create a 10-film legacy.
Sonically, following the introspective and acoustic sounds of – and Autumn Variations, the 34-year-old singer describes Play as a return to “big pop” for the first time in years, emphasizing a “playful, explorative, and celebratory” vibe. The album aims to reconnect with the energetic, chart-friendly sound of ÷ (Divide) and =(Equals). This shift is instantly recognizable in the lead single “Azizam,” a Persian term of endearment meaning “my dear” or “my beloved.” The track’s upbeat rhythm draws heavily from Persian culture while blending elements of Ed’s signature pop style.
On May 1, Ed released “Old Phone” as the second single. The song is deeply personal, inspired by finding an old mobile phone that became a “time capsule” of memories.
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