Ed Sheeran has introduced the title of his upcoming album, play, during a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Following a thematic series of albums represented by mathematical symbols—such as + (Plus), × (Multiplication), ÷ (Division), and – (Subtract)—Sheeran is venturing into new symbolic territory with this latest project.

The Concept Behind the Titles

In his conversation with Jimmy Fallon, Sheeran disclosed a long-term vision he had at the age of 18, which encompassed producing 10 albums. With five already released, he hinted at future titles such as rewind, fast forward, and stop, inspired by his admiration for filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, who is known for his own 10-film narrative.

Musical Surprises and Cultural Influences

Sheeran’s promotional approach for play has been notably spontaneous. He recently unveiled his new song titled Azitham during a surprise stop in New Orleans’ French Quarter. Collaborating with producer Ilya, who has Persian heritage, Sheeran explored elements of Persian culture in his music. Additionally, he completed a full version in Falsi, enhancing the album’s cultural dynamics.

A Peek Into ‘Old Phone’

During the fallout from his discussion with Fallon, Sheeran provided a glimpse of another track called Old Phone. This song draws inspiration from a personal experience involving a lawsuit that required him to surrender old devices. Reflecting on the emotional journey of scrolling through old messages and memories, Sheeran described it as akin to stepping into a “time machine,” revealing poignant messages from late friends and encounters from a decade ago.

“I was scrolling down… It really, really spun me,” he shared, as he engaged with Fallon’s assistance on an acoustic guitar for the performance.

His lyrics reflect this poignant journey, as he contemplates nostalgia and lost connections:

“I found an old phone today/in the box I had hidden/the nostalgia trying to get me lost/maybe I’ll unleash some mistakes.”

Performance Highlights

Although Sheeran was unable to attend the official performance segment on Fallon’s show, he still delighted the audience by performing a version of his hit Shape of You. He reminisced about the song’s origins, noting that what eventually became a major success for Justin Bieber was initially intended for Rihanna.

“I promise you, their best songs come from trying to write Rihanna’s songs,” Sheeran stated, highlighting the creative process behind his notable tracks.

Looking Forward

In recent interviews, Sheeran expressed that his new album represents a return to a “Big Pop” sound, marking a notable shift in his musical direction after a considerable time period. Fans eagerly await the forthcoming release, anticipating a blend of Sheeran’s reflective lyrics and catchy melodies.