Ed Sheeran rings in nostalgia: 'Old Phone' offers a sneak peek of his upcoming album 'Play'

After closing a significant chapter on his acclaimed Mathematics tour, Ed Sheeran is back and ready to embrace a bold new phase in 2025 with his new release, "Old Phone", and upcoming album, "Play".

Known for his innovative spirit and musical evolution, Sheeran's new album, which is set for a September release, promises to explore uncharted territory by collaborating with global producers and musicians.

In a statement reflecting on the album's genesis, Sheeran shared: "Play was an album that was made as a direct response to the darkest period of my life. Coming out of all of that, I just wanted to create joy and technicolour, and explore cultures in the countries I was touring."

He recalls his creative process, which took him to various locales around the globe, culminating in the serene setting of Goa, India.

"It encapsulates everything that I love about music, and the fun in it, but also where I am in life as a human, a partner, a father.

"Going into this album campaign, I said to myself ‘I just want everything I do to be fun and playful’ - so that’s why we are building pubs for folk jams, doing gigs on open top buses and singing in pink cowboy hats on bars.

"The older I get, the more I just want to enjoy things, and savour the moments that are mad and chaotic."

Fans can expect to be captivated by a series of ballads and acoustic-driven tracks that showcase Sheeran's dance between the familiar and the new.

This dynamic collection not only spotlights his artistic versatility but also promises to be a defining soundscape of the year.

Following the exhilarating release of his global hit, "Azizam", Sheeran offers a contrasting tone with his new single “Old Phone”.

This reflective track captures the disorienting act of reconnecting with his past.

Powering up an old phone unused since 2015, he unearths messages from a lost friend, an argument with an ex, and distant family, highlighting how time and separation reshape identity. 

Blending nostalgic acoustic melodies with raw emotion, the song recalls Sheeran's early songwriting roots while exploring growth and memory, capturing an artist who is shaped and transformed by his past.