Ed Sheeran’s New Album Inspired by Personal Struggles
Ed Sheeran expressed that his upcoming album “Play” is a “direct response” to what he labeled “the most gloomy period in my life”.
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Announcement and Album Themes
On Thursday (May 1), the singer revealed that the album, first announced in March, is set to be released on September 12. Visit here to make a preliminary order.
This announcement follows a weeks-long build-up teasing new material with fans and marks the conclusion of his Mathematics album series. These previous albums were inspired by mathematical symbols such as “plus”, “minus”, “multiply”, “divide”, and “equal”, while the new era is inspired by the concept he envisioned at 18 when he pondered the idea of “play,” “pause,” “fast forward,” “replay,” and “stop.”
In a recent Instagram post, Sheeran discussed the inspiration behind the album. He stated, “Play” was born as a direct answer to a particularly dark phase of my life. I wanted to generate joy and explore cultures in the places I toured. I created this work globally and wrapped it up in Goa, India, making it one of the most enjoyable and creatively enriching periods of my life.”
“This is an authentic American emotional ride from start to finish, encapsulating everything I love about music and reflecting my current life as a person, partner, and father. As I embarked on this album campaign, I told myself: ‘I want everything I do to be fun and playful’—that’s why we are building pubs for folk jams. The more, I simply want to relish life and embrace the beautiful chaos.”
Previously, Sheeran was open about his mental health battles, particularly following the unfortunate loss of two close friends, DJ Jamal Edwards and the Australian singer-songwriter Shane Warne.
“I felt like I didn’t want to live anymore,” he recalled, reflecting on these tragic moments. “Those thoughts were quite dark, and shame often accompanied them. They felt selfish, especially as a father. I felt truly embarrassed by this.”
“Nobody really discusses their feelings, where I’m from,” he added. “People view seeking therapy in England as unusual. But I find it incredibly beneficial to speak with someone, to unload without feeling guilty about venting.”
He continued: “It’s clear that I’ve lived an incredibly privileged life. Hence, my friends often perceived me as if I had it easy. However, help isn’t always readily available to anyone.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kom13rvbhrk
Moreover, Sheeran shared that his 2023 album stemmed from challenging times: “Within a month, my pregnant wife mentioned that she had a tumor with no treatment options before childbirth. On top of that, my best friend Jamal (Edwards) suddenly passed and I found myself embroiled in court, defending my integrity and career without any means to breathe.”
The song Sheeran unveiled from “Play” this week, titled “Old Phone,” was inspired by revisiting an old phone that had remained dormant since 2015, reopening messages from Edwards, and having unresolved conversations with family members from afar.
Regarding live performances, Sheeran is scheduled to perform in Europe from May to September 2025, concluding with shows in Bhutan, India, Qatar, and Bahrain. For tickets, visit here.
https://www.nme.com/news/music/ed-sheeran-says-new-album-play-was-made-as-a-direct-response-to-the-darkest-period-of-my-life-3860248?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ed-sheeran-says-new-album-play-was-made-as-a-direct-response-to-the-darkest-period-of-my-life
