Ed Sheeran’s Play: A Journey from Grief to Joy

Ed Sheeran has always written albums like chapters of his life, and 'Play' feels like the natural continuation after his 'Mathematics' era. If Subtract was about grief and healing, Play is about growth, love, and experimenting with new sounds while staying rooted in his storytelling. The album begins in sadness but gradually builds into a celebration, incorporating global influences and bold new textures. Track by track, Play takes listeners on an emotional arc that feels both personal and universal.

1. Opening

The record starts slowly and sadly, with Sheeran unpacking family traumas in a way that recalls Subtract Live. There are rap passages that nod to his earliest albums, but lyrically, it’s more reflective. It sets the stage for the rest of the album, beginning in shadows and then moving toward light.

2. Sapphire

One of the singles and an early fan favorite, Sapphire is upbeat and Bollywood-inspired. The song fuses tabla and sitar with modern pop production, featuring a surprise appearance from Arijit Singh.

Key Punjabi lines shimmer with imagery:

• “Cham-cham chamke sitare wargi” — Shining brightly like the stars

• “Palkaan uthaave te hanere ghatt de” — When you raise your eyelashes, darkness vanishes.

• “Kivein Rabb ne do nainaan ute nilam jade?” — How did God embed sapphires in those two eyes?

It’s a glittering example of Sheeran blending global traditions into his sound.

3. Azizam

Upbeat and fast-paced, Azizam takes its title from the Persian word meaning “my dear” or “my darling.” Produced by Swedish-Persian hitmaker ILYA, the track was first teased in an Instagram story a day before Nowruz, with Sheeran wishing fans a happy Persian New Year.

The video reflects its joyful, cross-cultural spirit, and the song itself radiates affection.

4. Old Phone

Slowing the tempo, "Old Phone" is a sad and nostalgic track. Inspired by Sheeran finding one of his actual old phones, the track feels reminiscent of his Divide era. The accompanying video leans into memory and reflection, weaving vintage clips and themes of passing time.

5. Symmetry

Fast, urgent, and rhythm-driven, Symmetry is one of the album’s high-energy moments. It surges forward, pulling the listener into its pulse.

6. Camera

A ballad that feels like the mature sibling of Photograph, Camera is slow, emotional, and deeply Ed. It captures fleeting moments with the weight of lived experience. The video, however, is reminiscent of Galway Girl.

7. In Other Words

This track carries Sheeran’s classic ballad DNA. Tender and introspective, it feels like the beating heart of Play, somewhere between early Ed and his present maturity.

8. A Little More

Feisty, sharp, and playful, A Little More is one of the singles, complete with a video that nods back to Lego House. Lyrics like “I can’t call you crazy ‘cause you could be diagnosed” showcase Sheeran’s cheekier side.

9. Slowly

As the title suggests, Slowly is measured and melodic. Switching between slow and fast pacing, it captures the sound longtime fans most associate with Sheeran.

10. Don’t Look Down

A bold sonic shift, Don’t Look Down feels atmospheric, as though you’re floating in space. It’s experimental but anchored by Sheeran’s familiar storytelling.

11. The Vow

Building steadily from delicate beginnings to soaring emotion, The Vow centres on a promise:

“My vow to you is to love you and never let go.”

12. For Always

One of the most personal moments on the album, For Always sounds like a father’s quiet dedication: “I’m forever, I’m for always, from your first breath till my last day.” Slow, melancholy, and moving, it lingers with honesty.

13. Heaven

The closing track, Heaven, leans into electronic textures with stop-start rhythms and a mellow undercurrent. It ends the record with the line: “Caught in the spell of this moment.” It’s the perfect conclusion: both hypnotic and hopeful.

Play unfolds like a story, opening in sadness, journeying through nostalgia and experimentation, and culminating in expansive new sounds. With Sapphire and Azizam, Sheeran steps into global collaborations. With For Always, he grounds himself in fatherhood. With Heaven, he reminds us he’s still willing to explore the unknown. It’s Ed Sheeran at his most reflective and his most daring, weaving grief, love, and joy into one cohesive album.