Ed Sheeran unveils "Azizam" in a captivating acoustic rendition
Multi- Grammy winner Ed Sheeran initiates a new musical chapter with his latest single "Azizam," a feel-good anthem released on April 4, 2025. The song, which translates to "my beloved" in Persian, signifies a return to joy, light, love, and fun.
The pop sensation teamed up with Swedish-Iranian producer Ilya Salmanzadeh, known for his collaborations with Ariana Grande, Charli XCX, and Ellie Goulding, during an influential studio session that birthed the track. The official music video for "Azizam" captures the essence of this inspirational studio meeting.
Last week, Sheeran unveiled an equally enchanting acoustic rendition of the song, further highlighting the track's romantic and uninhibited themes.
In an interview, Sheeran revealed that Ilya's proposal to incorporate Persian music into their collaboration opened a door to a novel and exciting world, enamored by the unique differences and shared resonance between Persian rhythms, scales, and instruments compared to his roots in Irish traditional music. He emphasized the universal power of music to bridge cultures and spoke fondly of the playful, explorative, and celebratory tone of the upcoming album.
Sheeran performed "Azizam" live at the TIME100 Gala in May, suggesting its prominence in his current performance repertoire. In earlier interviews, he expressed hope that "Azizam" would become a fan-favored show closer, referencing Drake’s approach to measuring a song's success by its longevity as a concert finale.
Under his label Gingerbread Man Records, in partnership with Warner Records, "Azizam" marks the lead single from Sheeran’s upcoming eighth studio album. The Persian word "Azizam" represents an endearment, similar to “my dear” or “darling,” and the song's lyrics echo themes of intimacy, connection, and living in the moment with lines like "I wanna get lost in your ocean and drown, I wanna be careless and free."
Collaborators AWSuki and JMD (Snow Patrol) also contributed to the creation of the track. Additionally, "Azizam" showcases Sheeran's guitar and vocal prowess in its stripped-back official acoustic video.
With "Azizam," Sheeran fuses Persian musical influences with his signature songwriting style, aiming to connect cultures and bring his shows to a thrilling conclusion.
Ed Sheeran, in collaboration with AWSuki and JMD (of Snow Patrol), introduces a refreshing blend of entertainment by incorporating Persian musical influences into his music, particularly in the acoustic rendition of his latest single "Azizam." Other artists such as Charli XCX, Ellie Goulding, and Ariana Grande, who have worked with Persian-Swedish producer Ilya Salmanzadeh, might also find inspiration in this fusion of diverse cultures and rhythms.
