Ed Sheeran – Old Phone: Ed Sheeran is opening a brand new chapter with the release of his latest single “Old Phone” and the announcement of his upcoming album Play, due out September 12 via Gingerbread Man Records/Atlantic Records. The project marks the start of a fresh creative era for Sheeran following the wrap-up of his long-running Mathematics series.

Play is a globally inspired body of work, drawing from the musical cultures of India, Persia, and Sheeran’s own Irish folk roots. “I made this record all over the world and finished it in Goa, India,” Sheeran said. “It’s a real rollercoaster of emotions… it encapsulates everything I love about music, and where I am in life as a human, a partner, a father.”

Produced by Blake Slatkin and Ilya Salmanzadeh, lead single “Old Phone” sees Sheeran reflect on the past after stumbling across messages on an old device from 2015. The song blends stripped-down acoustic melodies with his signature storytelling, digging deep into themes of nostalgia, change, and growth. To tease the release, Sheeran launched a new Instagram account, @teddysoldphone, filled with real photos pulled from that rediscovered device.

He’s already brought the song to life in unexpected ways—from a cozy couch performance on The Tonight Show to a surprise duet with Noah Kahan at a Nashville dive bar.

With Play, Sheeran leans fully into cross-cultural creativity and emotional honesty, all while keeping his signature charm and accessibility. Pre-orders are now live.