Play is Sheeran’s first full release since wrapping up his math-symbol albums (Plus, Multiply, Divide, Subtract, and Equals). Released via Gingerbread Man and Atlantic Records, this album introduces a new thematic arc inspired by media controls — Play, Pause, Fast Forward, Rewind, and Stop — with this being the opening chapter.
Across its 13 tracks, Play spans a lean 44 minutes and 38 seconds. It combines catchy pop singles like “Azizam,” “Old Phone,” “Sapphire,” “A Little More,” and “Camera” with newer sounds. Sheeran drew inspiration from Indian and Persian music traditions, blended with his signature acoustic work and warm, reflective songwriting.
While Play sounds brighter musically, many songs carry heavy emotional weight. The opening track, “Opening,” touches on Sheeran’s experiences with his wife Cherry Seaborn’s cancer diagnosis in 2022 and the death of his close friend, Jamal Edwards. In “Camera,” “The Vow,” and “Slowly,” he weaves in themes of fatherhood, love, regret, and growth.
Other Highlights & Standouts
- “Old Phone” evokes nostalgia by literally digging into memories from his past, triggered by rediscovering his old phone.
- “A Little More”, another single, mixes pop sensibilities with visual storytelling, the video features Rupert Grint and Nathalie Emmanuel and pushes stylistic boundaries.
Sheeran has said that Play was recorded alongside another album called Rewind, which is nearly complete and expected within the next 18 months. The two are meant to work as thematic twins, one driven by vibrant energy (Play) and the other leaning toward nostalgia and reflection.
To support Play, Sheeran will embark on the Loop Tour, starting in Europe in December 2025 and continuing into Oceania.
What Play Means
With this album, Ed Sheeran isn’t just releasing another record — he’s opening a new chapter. He’s traded symbols for more direct emotional expression, explored cultures beyond the English pop sphere, and used his personal life as creative fuel. Play feels like both a return to form and a stepping forward.
For fans, it offers moments to dance, moments to reflect, and plenty of room to grow with him.
