Ed Sheeran Is Back with Play — A Bold New Era Starts Now
Mark your calendars: 12 September 2025. That’s when Ed Sheeran drops Play — his brand new album that’s basically joy, chaos, culture, and bangers rolled into one. 
But before that, Ed’s giving us a lil gift: his emotional new single ‘Old Phone’ is out now. Go cry to it here. 
After officially closing the Mathematics chapter, Ed’s stepping into 2025 with Play, and he’s doing it big. Think global vibes, unexpected sounds, and collabs with musicians from all over the world — including major influence from Indian, Persian, and even Irish folk music. Yeah, it’s giving “Spotify global top 10” energy.
The album is a total mashup of Ed doing what he does best (emotional ballads, acoustic magic) with a fresh, adventurous twist. It’s equal parts nostalgia and newness, and somehow still so Ed.
Ed Sheeran shared about his mind behind his new album:
“Play was an album that was made as a direct response to the darkest period of my life. Coming out of all of that I just wanted to create joy and technicolour, and explore cultures in the countries I was touring. I made this record all over the world, finished it in Goa, India, and had some of the most fun, explorative creative days of my life. It’s a real rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish, 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. Going into this album campaign I said to myself ‘I just want everything I do to be fun and playful’ – so that’s why we are building pubs for folk jams, doing gigs on open top buses and singing in pink cowboy hats on bars. The older I get the more I just want to enjoy things, and savour the moments that are mad and chaotic. You can preorder play now, many many more playful things to come before it’s out x”
And now, let’s talk about ‘Old Phone’ — the track that hits right in the feels. 
Ever found your old phone, charged it up, and spiral-scrolled into your past? That’s the vibe. Produced by Blake Slatkin & Ilya Salmanzadeh, Old Phone is Ed at his rawest — reflecting on lost friendships, arguments, memories, and the bittersweet beauty of looking back. It’s giving 2015 Tumblr-era heartbreak but grown up.
Old Phone blends Ed’s OG acoustic style with that soul-punching lyricism he does so well. It’s low-key devastating in the best way.
So yeah — Play is coming. Old Phone is here. And Ed is officially in his fun, fearless, folky-globe-trotter era. 
Hit that preorder button. Wear a pink cowboy hat. Go jam in a pub. It’s Ed season, and it’s gonna be wild. 
