S Poddar
Singer Ed Sheeran has just dropped some thrilling news for fans: he’s already done his next album, and he’s teased exactly where it’s going. Following two studio albums in 2023, ‘−’ (Subtract) and Autumn Variations, Sheeran appears to be in the mood to change things up once more, indicating that his next album will be something different.
His 2023 releases, specifically ‘−’ (Subtract), were somber and reflective, even melancholic, with some melodies and lyrics that were simply introspective. Autumn Variations, however, provided a quieter, more subdued set that some critics, including those at NME, described as a “limp ending to this unique and curious creative cycle” for the artist. Both albums speak to Sheeran’s growth as an artist, and with the benefit of Aaron Dessner from The National, handling production for both of these records.
Now he’s ready to take his stylistic turn as he prepares to unveil his next project. In an interview with Variety, the artist says, “I feel like the record is done,” and is thrilled to be entering this new artistic chapter. He talks of his previous album, ‘−’ (Subtract), saying it was far away from his pop sound. “It was obviously a completely different record that didn’t really call for big pop stuff.”.
When asked about his upcoming album, Sheeran hinted at a return to more mainstream pop music, saying, “It feels like I’m getting back into big pop for the first time in a long time. It’s quite exciting.” Fans of his earlier hits, like Shape of You and Castle on the Hill, will no doubt be looking forward to hearing what Sheeran has in store.
According to reports, Sheeran has already filmed two new music videos for the project, set to shoot two more in early 2025. These videos are part of what may turn out to be the massive campaign to promote the album-that it’s going to be something quite big for Sheeran as he comes back for the pop world.
This isn’t all Sheeran had going on with his project: among other creative works, this English singer-songwriter has remained active. Recently, he has released an upbeat track called Under the Tree, in the Richard Curtis animated Netflix film, That Christmas. The track is played when there’s a very moving scene of the movie; it is on the pain of Christmas with those you love being apart. “It’s lovely to have something really quintessentially British, but also something that you can watch with young children.
Recalling his work with Curtis, Sheeran said they have been mates for years and have done loads of fun work for charity. “He played me an early version of That Christmas two years ago, and it was so raw,” he recalled. “I immediately felt like crying. It was so emotional, yet so heartwarmingly funny, like all Richard Curtis movies.”. Having children of his own, Sheeran noted how much it mattered for him to be part of a holiday movie that’s going to cater to young people. “I find since having kids, there’s a real lack of great animated children’s Christmas movies, so I thought this was such an amazing thing to make and put into the world,” he added.
This heartwarming film really moved Sheeran, who was especially touched because the song he wrote for this reflects the universal pain many people feel around the holidays, when separated from loved ones. “The scene that we wrote this song for is so heartbreaking, but so real for many people at Christmas spending it without the ones they love, for so many reasons,” he noted.
On the other side, Sheeran is readying up for a series of live shows on his tour Mathematics. These upcoming performances are going to be performed in Bhutan, India, Bahrain, and Qatar. As such, Sheeran’s music is going to reach out to fresh faces, specifically for his history-making event in Bhutan – Bhutan, being a nation where no foreign artist has performed before. Tickets were kept at just $10.
In addition to the tour, Sheeran recently made headlines over comments regarding the 2024 remix of the Band Aid charity single. The artist was featured in the updated version, but he admitted that he would have declined to be part of it if he had fully understood the narrative surrounding the song. “My understanding of the narrative associated with this has changed,” Sheeran explained. This was followed by a public reaction from the organizer of Band Aid, Bob Geldof, who reacted to defense the song and its continued relevance: “this little pop song has kept millions of people alive” and called on Sheeran to meet to discuss with him his views.
As 2024 unfolds, Ed Sheeran continues to grow as an artist and as a public figure, bringing new sounds, new projects, and an exciting tour to fans. With his new album already done, it’s clear that he is not slowing down anytime soon. Fans can look forward to what Sheeran has planned next, especially as he brings his music to audiences around the world.
