Singer Ed Sheeran discusses his forthcoming album named 'Play'
Ed Sheeran, the beloved British singer-songwriter, has released his eighth studio album, titled Play Store. This new project, which follows Subtract and Autumn Variations, marks a departure from his previous, more commercially oriented works.
Play Store was produced by a team of talented musicians, including Ilya, Blake Lively, Cirkut, Omer Fedi, Savan Kotecha, Elvira Anderfjärd, and Johnny McDaid. The album's production process was overseen by Adam Bearne for radio edits and Majd Al-Waheidi for digital adaptations.
Unlike his decision to focus less on the U.S. market with Play Store, Sheeran's confidence in the album's success is rooted in his successful track record in the U.S., with albums such as Divide, '+', and '+' (Plus) all achieving high chart positions.
Sheeran describes Play Store as a result of wanting to have fun, contrasting it with his previous albums. The album features a shift from darker, subdued projects towards Indian and Persian influences. Fans will recognize Ed Sheeran's trademark style in one of the centerpiece songs on Play Store, titled "The Vow".
One of the standout tracks on the album is "A Little More", a musically upbeat song that belies its sad lyrics. Producer Blake Lively suggested framing the song in a more upbeat way, contributing to its unique juxtaposition. "A Little More" reflects Sheeran's full range of emotions, including anger, love, frustration, and sadness.
The album's first single, "Azizam", is named after the Persian word for "my dear". The success of Play Store is not solely measured by sales, according to Sheeran. One of the singles from the album, "Sapphire", reached No. 1 in India.
In promotion of Play Store, Sheeran performed at NPR Music's Tiny Desk. Sheeran, who is now 34 years old and a father of two, has come a long way since his breakthrough album '+' (Plus) 14 years ago. Despite the smaller promotional scale of his previous albums, his fans have enjoyed touring with him.
Sheeran's decision to focus less on the U.S. market with Play Store may indicate a shift in his artistic direction. However, with Play Store, Sheeran continues to push boundaries and experiment with new sounds, while maintaining his unique, recognizable style.
