Ed Sheeran's new album 'PLAY' arriving later this year
Ed Sheeran announced his new album "PLAY" this week, as well as its official release date.
The singer announced Thursday that his highly anticipated new album will arrive Sept. 12.
He also released a new song, "Old Phone," which will be included on the forthcoming album.
"PLAY" marks a new chapter for the singer after the end of his "Mathematics" series, according to a press release.
The new album features music that reflects Sheeran's exploration of "new musical ground through collaboration with producers and musicians from around the world, as well as diving deeper into the timeless sounds and themes that have made him one of the world's best-loved pop artists," the press release states.
The press release adds that the album will feature music from Indian and Persian musical cultures, from which Sheeran took inspiration.
His first single for the album, "Azizam," which he released in April, was a collaboration with Swedish/Iranian producer Ilya Salmanzadeh.
In an Instagram post Thursday, Sheeran opened up about what making "PLAY" meant to him.
"Play was an album that was made as a direct response to the darkest period of my life," he began. "Coming out of all of that I just wanted to create joy and technicolor, and explore cultures in the countries I was touring."
Sheeran said that while making the record "all over the world," he had "some of the most fun, explorative creative days of my life."
He described the album as "a real rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish" and noted that it "encapsulates everything that I love about music, and the fun in it, but also where I am in life as a human, a partner, a father."
Sheeran also noted that he decided he wanted the promotional campaign to be "fun and playful," which is why he's been doing things like building pubs and performing on the street and on buses.
"The older I get the more I just want to enjoy things, and savor the moments that are mad and chaotic," he wrote.
