Ed Sheeran is swapping somber reflection for pure joy with the release of his eighth studio album, Play, per cbsnews.com. The 33-year-old singer-songwriter’s new project is a deliberate and welcome shift from his previous work, Subtract, which chronicled his wife’s cancer diagnosis and personal mental health battles. Sheeran describes the new album as the “polar opposite” of its predecessor, born from a desire to create something light after a period of intense struggle.
“I just wanted to do the polar opposite of that with this record,” Sheeran told “CBS Mornings.”
The album, his first in two years, is a testament to creative freedom. Sheeran wrote hundreds of songs, ultimately selecting tracks that prioritised experimentation over commercial appeal. He emphasises that Play was a personal project first and foremost. “It made me feel good,” he shared, explaining that records should be made primarily for the artiste.
In a break from traditional promotional tours, Sheeran has embraced a more spontaneous approach, staging surprise pop-up performances in unexpected locations like Mexico and India. The artiste says this mirrors the album’s adventurous spirit and his current state of mind. “Everything feels good and balanced,” he said, signaling a new, joyful chapter in his life and career.
