/indigomusic/media/media_files/2025/09/13/untitled-design-play-2025-09-13-11-47-52.png)
Image Courtesy: Rolling Stone
Ed Sheeran returns with his eighth studio album "Play" released this Friday, 12th September, through Gingerbread Man and Atlantic Records, following the conclusion of his chapter of albums with a Mathematical theme. The album is vibrant, vulnerable, and joyous, giving the impression of a new beginning. "Play," according to Sheeran, made him "fall in love with fun again," moving him away from the darker, deeper tones of his most recent music and toward a more exploratory, international sound.
/indigomusic/media/post_attachments/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ed-sheeran-play-488560.jpg)
Image Courtesy: Rock Cellar Magazine
Turning the Page: Themes, Sounds & Singles
"Play" marks in a new era for Sheeran, departing from the pattern of his previous albums, which were titled "Plus," "Multiply," "Subtract," and "Equals," and adopting a more lively and expansive sound. The album is roughly 44 minutes and 38 seconds long and contains 13 tracks. Love, sadness, family, identity, and the joy of life are among the main topics that are conveyed through acoustic ballads and lively pop songs that incorporate Persian and Indian musical influences.
'Azizam' (4th April), which has Persian overtones and a version with Googoosh, 'Old Phone' (1st May), which appeals to nostalgia and remembrance, 'Sapphire' (5th June) with Arijit Singh, and 'A Little More' (7th August) are some of the early singles that have been released. On the day of the album's release, the fifth single, 'Camera' was also released.
Check Out the Instagram Post:
Among standout tracks are 'Opening,' which sets a more intimate, confessional tone, touching on the death of Sheeran's friend Jamal Edwards and the health scare of his wife Cherry Seaborn; 'Symmetry' which leans into dance‑pop rhythms; and emotional pieces like 'For Always,' 'The Vow,' and 'Slowly' that reflect his life as a husband and father.
From Old to New: How It Compares & What's Ahead
"Play" is purposefully lighter, more frivolous, and feels like a reset in contrast to "Subtract" (2023) and "Autumn Variations," which were darker in tone and more introspective. Sheeran himself stated that he intended "Play" to be the complete opposite of "Subtract"—celebrating life, culture, creativity, and colour. He also said that "Rewind" and additional albums will follow to complete the set, with "Play" being the first in a new series of symbol-themed albums based on media control buttons.
/indigomusic/media/post_attachments/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2025/09/11/USAT/86094571007-2025-03-07-ed-sheeran-shot-08-092-718169.jpg?crop=2999,1687,x0,y200&width=660&height=371&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Image Courtesy: USA Today
"Rewind" is anticipated to come within the next 18 months. In the meantime, Sheeran carried out pop-ups in London, Madrid, Amsterdam, Naples, and Cologne to promote "Play." He also started a nostalgic Instagram account called @TeddysOldPhone to post old footage related to the the album's themes.
Vegas Performance & Ticket Info for Ed Sheeran's 'Play' Era
/indigomusic/media/post_attachments/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ed-sheeran-madrid-concert-2025-billboard-1548-311749.jpg)
Image Courtesy: Billboard
In addition to the album's release, Ed Sheeran is also set to perform in Las Vegas on 19th and 20th September at the T-Mobile Arena as part of the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Festival. With Sheeran performing among musicians like Maroon 5, Tim McGraw, Mariah Carey, Jelly Roll, GloRilla, and many more, this year's festival promises to be a star-studded weekend.
Tickets for the iHeartRadio Music Festival went on general sale through AXS.com starting 13th June, with Capital One cardholders having earlier access via presale beginning 11th June. On Saturday, 20th September—the night Ed Sheeran performs—doors open at 6:30 PM, and the show begins at 7:30 PM at T‑Mobile Arena.
