Ed Sheeran Explores New Sounds with Upcoming Album ‘Play’

Ed Sheeran is taking his music in a fresh direction, embracing Eurasian influences on his upcoming eighth album, Play. While fans were once teased with the idea of Sheeran dabbling in death metal, the singer-songwriter has instead immersed himself in a completely different sonic landscape.

Set to drop next month, the album’s lead single, Azizam, reflects this new creative shift. Produced by Ilya Salmanzadeh—known for working with Ariana Grande, Ellie Goulding, and Sam Smith—the track draws inspiration from Persian music, blending unique rhythms, scales, and melodies with Sheeran’s signature songwriting.

Talking about the experience, Sheeran shared:

“Ilya encouraged me to explore Persian influences, and I was fascinated by how different yet familiar it felt. It reminded me of the Irish traditional music I grew up with—proof that music connects us all.”

Though Sheeran’s long-rumored death metal project hasn’t surfaced yet, his collaboration with metal legends Cradle of Filth is still in the works, with reports suggesting a track may appear on a future album from the band.

With Play, Sheeran once again proves his ability to reinvent himself, keeping fans eager to hear what’s next.