Ed Sheeran is ushering in a brand new musical era with the announcement of his upcoming album Play, set for release on 12th September 2025.
Pre-orders are now open, and to celebrate the reveal, Ed Sheeran has also dropped a brand-new single titled Old Phone — and it’s one that tugs on the heartstrings.
Following the conclusion of his long-running Mathematics series, Play marks a bold step forward. The album sees him embracing global influences and joyfully reinventing his sound. Collaborating with musicians and producers from across the world, Play was shaped by his travels and exposure to diverse musical cultures — particularly the deep-rooted ties he discovered between Indian, Persian, and Irish folk music. This cross-cultural connection sparked a fresh creative direction, blending traditional sounds with his signature acoustic-pop style.
Still, longtime fans needn’t worry — Play is just as much about returning to his’s roots as it is about breaking new ground. With poignant ballads, stripped-back storytelling, and infectious pop hooks, the album captures the full spectrum of his artistry. It’s playful, raw, reflective, and joyful — all at once.
Speaking about the project, Ed shared, “Play was an album that was made as a direct response to the darkest period of my life. Coming out of all of that, I just wanted to create joy and technicolour, and explore cultures in the countries I was touring. I made this record all over the world — finished it in Goa, India — and had some of the most fun, explorative creative days of my life. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, and it captures everything I love about music and where I am in life: as a human, a partner, a father.
“Going into this album campaign I told myself, ‘I just want everything I do to be fun and playful.’ So that’s why we’re building pubs for folk jams, doing gigs on open-top buses, and singing in pink cowboy hats on bars. The older I get, the more I want to enjoy things and savour the mad, chaotic moments.”
The album's first taste, Old Phone, is a beautifully nostalgic track that finds Sheeran reconnecting with the past. Triggered by the simple act of switching on a long-abandoned phone, the song traces memories of lost friends, faded relationships, and family ties — a quiet meditation on how time, distance, and growth shape who we become. Produced by Blake Slatkin and Ilya Salmanzadeh, the track is a warm blend of gentle acoustics and raw emotion, calling back to Sheeran’s early songwriting years while signalling the maturity of an artist who’s seen — and sung — it all.
From Azizam’s vibrant global beats to Old Phone’s introspective tones, Play is shaping up to be one of Ed Sheeran’s most dynamic and personal records yet.
