British pop sensation Ed Sheeran has officially released his eighth studio album, Play, marking a bold new direction in his musical journey.
Dropping on Friday, September 12, 2025, the album arrives as Sheeran wraps up his globally successful “Mathematics” era and prepares to launch a new series of symbol-themed records.
Play follows 2023’s Autumn Variations and is described by Sheeran as “a direct response to the darkest period of my life.”
The 13-track album blends his signature acoustic-pop style with vibrant global influences, including Indian and Persian instrumentation.
Much of the album was recorded across various countries before concluding in Goa, India – a location that deeply shaped its sound.
Tracks like “Azizam,” “Sapphire,” and “Symmetry” showcase Sheeran’s experimentation with tabla, sitar, and multilingual lyrics, including collaborations with Indian superstar Arijit Singh.
Meanwhile, songs such as “Camera” and “A Little More” offer emotional depth and lyrical vulnerability, balancing innovation with Sheeran’s familiar storytelling.
Sheeran revealed earlier this year on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that his next four albums will be titled Pause, Rewind, Fast-Forward, and Stop, continuing his tradition of thematic cohesion following Plus, Multiply, Divide, Subtract, and Equals.
Amid the album’s launch, Sheeran clarified rumors about permanently relocating to the United States.
He explained via Instagram that he’s temporarily moving with his family for an upcoming tour, saying,
“I’m not moving, I’m going on tour with my family and relocating to the continent I’m touring on, don’t wanna commute from London to San Diego obvz”.
With Play, Sheeran not only closes a chapter but opens a new one – one that promises cultural exploration, sonic risk-taking, and continued global resonance.