Ed Sheeran releases new song 'Boat': Watch the music video

Ed Sheeran has released a new song titled "Boat" and its accompanying music video.

The song is the opening track on his upcoming album, which is titled "-," and pronounced "Subtract." The album is out May 5.

"'Boat' is the first song I wrote and finished for Subtract," Sheeran said in a statement. "It's where it all began, and a good way to kick off the album."

According to a press release, the track was written amid the harsh winter conditions of the English seaside and "serves as a metaphor for depression; a track that combats the struggles of feeling very low and not knowing how to break the cycle."

That message is evident in the chorus lyrics, where Sheeran sings, "The more that I love, the less that I feel / The times that I jumped never were real / They say that all scars will heal, but I know / Maybe, I won't / But the waves won't break my boat."

Just hours after releasing the ballad, the Mia Barnes-directed music video arrived, further driving home Sheeran's message through visuals.

"Boat" follows the release of the album's lead single "Eyes Closed."

Following the album release on May 5, Sheeran will also kick off the North American leg of his + - = ÷ x Tour on May 6 in Arlington, Texas.

Fans can also catch him in an all new, four-part documentary, "Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All," out May 3 on Disney+.