Ed Sheeran – ‘Play’ Review: A Return to Genre-Spanning Roots

Ed Sheeran’s album ‘Play’ marks a shift back to his adventurous, genre-hopping style that once made his music stand out.

If you’ve followed Ed Sheeran’s career, you know his albums often come loaded with surprises—and not all of them land perfectly. Take 2017’s ÷ (Divide), that massive hit with the unforgettable “Galway Girl.” Beneath its sugary acoustic ballads was a daring sonic playground: dad-rock guitars wailing, sprightly Ghanaian highlife rhythms, and even an Irish jig thrown into the mix. It was proof that Sheeran was more than just a pop balladeer—he was willing to take risks.

You might not love every experiment, but it’s refreshing when an artist of Sheeran’s stature dares to defy expectations. The Halifax-born, Suffolk-raised singer (who identifies “culturally as Irish”) tends to falter when he operates on autopilot. Just look at 2023’s Autumn Variations—a downbeat album that felt as drab as that old raincoat you reluctantly pull out when summer ends. It was his lowest-charting album in years, and critics weren’t kind.

Returning to Boldness with ‘Play’

Ed Sheeran doesn’t put much stock in music critics, so he likely shrugged off that reception. But Play feels like a deliberate pivot, a shedding of the blandness that crept into his recent work.

The album’s pre-release singles, “Azizam” and “Sapphire,” hinted at this revival. With Persian and Punjabi influences, respectively (the latter featuring Indian playback sensation Arijit Singh), they showed Sheeran re-embracing that stylistic hopscotch that made ÷ such a hit. After all, Divide remains his biggest-selling album to date—proof that taking musical chances can pay off.

Yet, the opening track of Play—creatively titled “Opening”—starts with an introspective, finger-picked ballad vibe, familiar territory for Ed. But this is no safe zone. The lyrics hit hard: “I have cried at my brother’s grave / I have shaken hands with my wife’s surgeon.” Soon, that fragile croon is backed by a brittle beat as Ed shifts into a breathless flow, rapping his way through lines about recent plagiarism battles: “Two of them tried it; I won both cases.” It’s not every day you hear a prep-school white guy trying to rap, but here, it works because the words carry weight.

Wrestling with Darkness and Triumph

Play dives into some of the darkest moments Ed Sheeran has faced—his wife’s life-threatening illness during pregnancy, and the heartbreaking loss of his best friend Jamal Edwards, the visionary behind SB.TV. Yet, through these shadows, the music rallies.

There’s a splash of lightweight soul in tracks like “A Little More” and “The Vow,” a touch of Bon Iver-style folktronica in “Heaven,” and—believe it or not—a Fred Again-assisted psytrance banger “Don’t Look Down” that could have fit right into an early 2000s Matrix movie trailer.

While Sheeran doesn’t fully dive headfirst into genre-hopping as boldly as on Divide, Play still showcases his knack for blending styles. The album is peppered with his signature ballads—some saccharine, some truly moving. “Old Phone,” inspired by a text from Edwards, stands out as genuinely heartfelt.

Details at a Glance

• Record label: Gingerbread Man Records / Atlantic Records
• Release date: September 12, 2025

Play is reportedly the first in a series of albums named after remote control buttons—a concept that might sound a bit groan-worthy but does underline Sheeran’s willingness to experiment with form and sound. It’s a decent collection that makes the most of his well-worn bag of tricks, blending introspection with bursts of surprising energy.

Wrapping It Up

Have you given Play a listen yet? For fans who appreciate Ed Sheeran’s willingness to step outside his comfort zone, this album feels like a breath of fresh air. Though it doesn’t quite reach the adventurous heights of Divide, it’s a solid reminder that Sheeran’s true strength lies in his eclectic musical spirit.

FAQ

• What makes ‘Play’ different from Ed Sheeran’s previous albums?
  Play merges personal, introspective lyrics with diverse musical influences, including Persian and Punjabi sounds, showing a return to genre-hopping.
• Did Ed Sheeran rap on this album?
  Yes, notably on the opening track “Opening,” where he delivers a breathless rap flow reflecting on personal and professional struggles.
• Who collaborated with Ed on ‘Play’?
  Fred Again helped produce the psytrance track “Don’t Look Down,” and Indian playback singer Arijit Singh featured on “Sapphire.”
• What themes does ‘Play’ explore?
  The album touches on serious life events such as his wife’s health scare during pregnancy and the loss of his close friend Jamal Edwards.
• Is Play part of a series?
  Yes, it’s reportedly the first in a series of albums named after remote control buttons.

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