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After completing his Mathematics era, Ed Sheeran is back on Friday (May 2) with news: His new album Play will be released on September 12, 2025-and Sheeran published the new single “Old Phone” to celebrate the day.
Sheeran himself describes Play as “album, which was created as a direct reaction to the darkest time of my life.”
On Instagram he explains: “After I have left all of this, I just wanted to bring joy and color into the world – and discover the cultures of the countries through which I tour. I have taken the album around the world in Goa (India) – and experienced some of the most creative, curious and funny days of my life.”
The result is an album that, according to Sheeran, is “a real emotional roller coaster ride” – with everything he loves in music: “The fun, freedom, but also the point when I stand in life – as a partner, as a father.”
Ed Sheeran: New influences, familiar sound
Inspired by the music of India and Persia-and their surprising parallels to the Irish folk sounds of his childhood-Play is said to combine trusted Sheeran sound with a more global sound language. With musicians: Inside and producer: Inside from all over the world, Sheeran has created a work that, according to the announcement, “skillfully connects old and new things”.
In addition to the single “Azizam” published in April (a tribute to Persian culture and produced by Ilyah Salmanzadeh), the song “Old Phone” is now also available – a nostalgic, personal number that immerses deep into Ed Sheeran’s past.
“Old Phone” – a look into the past
The song begins with a simple action: ED intervenes an old cell phone that he has not used since 2015. What follows is an emotional search for traces: news from a lost friend, a dispute with an ex, an alienated family member. “Old Phone” was produced by Blake Slatkin and Ilya Salmanzadeh.
Play is playful – in the truest sense of the word
Sheeran announced that the coming months will be accompanied by “playful actions”: “We build pubs for folk jams, play gigs in open buses and sing with pink cowboy hats in bars. The older I get, the more I just want to enjoy the things-and the crazy, chaotic moments.”