Ed Sheeran Releases a New Album: Subtract

Ed Sheeran releases a new album: Subtract. This album is the result of Ed Sheeran pushing the boundaries of his songwriting skills, as he provides some of the most insightful songwriting of his career. Working closely with Aaron Dessner (The National) on writing and production, the album began production in February last year.

Writing over 30 songs in their month-long studio sessions in Kent, England, the 14 tracks on the album are seamlessly tied together by luscious production from paired-back, folk-leaning textures to bolder full-band and orchestral arrangements. Ahead of the album’s release, Ed Sheeran released two songs: ‘Eyes Closed’, followed by ‘Boat’.

Read also: Ed Sheeran Feels So Low in “Boat”

Ed Sheeran said, “I’ve been working on Subtract for a decade, trying to sculpt the perfect acoustic album, writing and recording hundreds of songs with a clear vision of what I was thinking. Then, in early 2022, a series of events changed my life, my mental health, and ultimately the way I view music and art.

Writing songs is my therapy. This helps me understand how I feel. I write without thinking about what the songs are like, I just write whatever flows. In just a week, I replaced a decade’s worth of jobs with my deepest darkest thoughts.

Within one month, my pregnant wife was told that she had a tumor that could not be treated until after giving birth. My best friend Jamal, who was like a brother to me, died suddenly and I found myself standing in court defending my integrity and my career as a songwriter. I spiraled in fear, depression and anxiety.

I felt like I was sinking, head below the surface, looking up but couldn’t break through the air.

As an artist, I feel I can’t credibly place work into a world that doesn’t accurately represent where I am and how I need to express myself at this point in my life. This album is purely about that. This opened a trapdoor into my soul. For the first time, I’m not trying to make an album that people will like, I’m just putting out something that’s honest and true to where I am in my adult life.

This is my last February diary entry in the process of making sense of it all. This is Subtract.”

To celebrate the release of “Subtract”, Ed Sheeran will be streaming 14 official videos on his YouTube. Following the premiere, fans will be able to head over to Ed’s After Party on YouTube, where he will provide an exclusive acoustic performance of ‘Eyes Closed’.

On May 10, Ed Sheeran will perform the first full-length live performance of his album Subtract with a 12-piece band including Aaron Dessner. Fans around the world can stream the show on demand on Apple Music and Apple TV+ starting at 03:00 WIB on May 11 Jakarta time.