Ed Sheeran releases eighth studio album
British pop star Ed Sheeran, who recently revealed an upcoming United States tour, released his latest album, 'Play,' on Friday.
'Play' is the 34-year-old singer-songwriter's eighth studio album and follows more than a decade of global success and smash hits such as 'Shape of You' and 'Perfect.'
He released his last album, 'Autumn Variations,' in 2023.
Known for blending pop, folk, and other musical genres with his own distinct acoustic style, Sheeran is the sixth most-streamed artist on Spotify, and his 2017 song 'Shape of You' is among the most listened-to tracks in the world.
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Sheeran said he made his latest album "as a direct response to the darkest period of my life" and that he wanted to "create joy and technicolour."
It was recorded "all over the world" before wrapping up in the coastal state of Goa in India.
One day until Play is yours! Which version of the album have you grabbed?🩷 https://t.co/IelUKbpEYz pic.twitter.com/J5SynRWB1T
— Ed Sheeran HQ (@edsheeran) September 11, 2025
Speaking on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' earlier this year, the singer revealed that his next four albums would be called 'Pause,' 'Rewind,' 'Fast-Forward,' and 'Stop.'
They follow his mathematically themed albums 'Plus,' 'Multiply,' 'Divide,' 'Subtract,' and 'Equals.'
Moving to America
Sheeran, who grew up in eastern England, said earlier this week that he is set to move to the United States with his family due to an upcoming tour there, without specifying the dates.
After a flurry of headlines suggesting he was permanently leaving the UK, he clarified in an Instagram post that it was only a temporary relocation.
"I’m not moving. I'm going on tour with my family and relocating to the continent I'm touring on. Don't wanna commute from London to San Diego obvz," he posted.
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Sheeran also insisted, "This isn't a tax thing," adding that he would "always pay tax in the UK."
He is scheduled to play at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas on September 20 before touring Europe, New Zealand, and Australia from December into March 2026.
Posthumous album
Ed Sheeran has revealed that he will release his final album after death.
Speaking to Apple Music 1's Zane Lowe, Sheeran says the posthumous project will be called 'Eject'.
His wife, Cherry Seaborn, will decide which songs make the tracklist.
"It's actually in my will, and Cherry gets to pick the tracks for it. It's fully like it's in there if I were to go tomorrow. My will of wishes is to make a record out of all the songs from the age of 18 to when I pass away. Choose the 10 best."
Sheeran says he will drop hints about his favourite songs to his wife.
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