Ed Sheeran presses Play

Ed Sheeran has entered a new chapter in his career with the release of Play, his eighth studio album, out today. The British singer-songwriter describes the record as a direct response to "the darkest period" of his life, aiming to capture joy, colour, and cultural exploration after years of introspection.

The 13-track album features previously released singles including Camera, Azizam, Sapphire, A Little More, and Old Phone. Drawing inspiration from Indian and Persian music, Sheeran incorporates sitar, tabla, santoor and kanjira, with standout collaborations such as Sapphire, a bilingual duet with Indian superstar Arijit Singh.

In an Instagram post earlier this year, Sheeran revealed that Play grew out of his global travels, saying, "I just wanted to create joy and technicolour, and explore cultures in the countries I was touring." His recent India tour saw him learning sitar in Mumbai and even travelling to Singh's hometown of Jiaganj to perfect his Punjabi vocals.

The album marks a sharp turn from his subdued releases Subtract and Autumn Variations, which struggled commercially despite their emotional depth. With Play, Sheeran leans back into infectious pop, subtly enriched by global influences.

To celebrate the release, Sheeran unveiled the video for Camera.