The Ed Sheeran Play album arrives as the singer’s eighth studio release, following two projects that underperformed commercially. His previous records, Subtract and Autumn Variations, sold fewer than half a million copies each. By contrast, 2017’s Divide moved more than eight million units in the UK alone. Those albums dealt with grief, illness, and recovery. They were deeply personal, yet they struggled to connect with wider audiences. As a result, Sheeran faced pressure to prove he could still dominate charts.
From the very first track, he acknowledges this struggle. On a song titled “Opening,” Sheeran admits that his career feels precarious and that he doubts his ability to relate to fans. It is a striking confession from one of the best-selling artists of the last two decades. Nevertheless, he uses Play to respond with color, rhythm, and a more global sound.
In press interviews, Sheeran described Play as a joyful project born after a dark period in his life. He explained that touring inspired him to explore different cultures and styles. Across 13 tracks, he sings about escape, renewal, and love. He layers his pop framework with Asian and Middle Eastern influences. Instruments like the sitar, tabla, santoor, and kanjira make appearances, giving the album its international flavor.
“Symmetry,” a tale of late-night romance, builds its energy on Gujarati drums and the metallic tones of the bouzouki. The highlight, however, is “Sapphire,” a duet with Indian superstar Arijit Singh. Sheeran traveled to Jiaganj to learn Punjabi phrasing directly from Singh before recording. The collaboration mixes English, Hindi, and Punjabi, creating a refreshing blend that has already topped India’s streaming charts. Still, despite such efforts, many listeners may feel the global touches remain surface-level.
Take “Azizam,” the lead single. Named after the Farsi word for “my darling,” it introduces a santur riff but quickly reverts to a standard pop structure. Similarly, “Don’t Look Down” pairs a bansuri flute with a trance beat and heartfelt lyrics about loss. The song feels adventurous, but the rest of the record rarely sustains that risk-taking spirit. Instead, Sheeran often retreats to familiar themes of devotion and longing. Tracks like “Camera” and “In Other Words” return to his signature balladry. The latter stands out with intimate piano tones and lyrics about daily domestic rituals. Yet others recycle familiar pop tropes, echoing sentiments fans have heard before.
There are moments of sharper emotion. On “A Little More,” Sheeran criticizes a betraying friend over a playful groove, calling them a “prick” and discarding their apologies. Elsewhere, he nods to press intrusion and past plagiarism lawsuits. Unfortunately, those candid glimpses rarely extend across the entire album. Too often, he reverts to safe lyrics about parties and attraction, even repeating magnet imagery from “Shape of You.”
Even with these flaws, Play highlights Sheeran’s enduring strength: melody. He crafts songs that flow effortlessly, designed to slip into countless playlists. For fans already invested in his music, this record delivers comfort and accessibility. For critics, it represents both a missed opportunity and a reminder of his vast potential. If he leaned further into the boldness of “Don’t Look Down” or the authenticity of “Sapphire,” he might create something groundbreaking.
Ultimately, the Ed Sheeran Play album entertains without transforming. It shows a superstar determined to adapt but unwilling to abandon mainstream appeal. For some, that balance will be satisfying. For others, it will feel like a compromise. Either way, it proves that Sheeran remains one of pop’s most reliable hitmakers, even as listeners continue to wonder what might happen if he took greater risks.
