Ed Sheeran Confirms October Release For Fifth Album '=', Shares New Song Visiting Hours
Thursday, 19 August 2021
Written by Jon Stickler
Ed Sheeran has announced his fifth studio album.
The long-awaited follow-up to 2017's '÷' (pronounced divide) is called '=' (pronounced equals) and will arrive on October 29 via Asylum/ Atlantic Records.
The singer-songwriter confirmed the news with a post to Instagram on August 19, revealing the title and release date. He said:
"I started writing and recording this album June 2017. Its been a long, long process. I’ve been through love, loss, new life, grief and everything in between during the whole period of writing it, and I feel like it’s really a coming of age record. I’ve never been more proud of a body of work, or more excited/nervous for you all to hear it."
Comprising 14 songs, the LP was written and recorded in England, Sweden and Los Angeles, with executive production from Sheeran, FRED, and Johnny McDaid, with additional writing and production by Steve Mac, Joe Rubel, Amy Wadge, Foy Vance, Elvira Anderfjard, David Hodges, Andrew Watt, Lou Bell, Natalie Hemby and Ben Kweller. Sheeran's brother, Matthew, also contributes string arrangements on First Times and The Joker and the Queen.
Alongside the news, the superstar has unveiled Visiting Hours, an emotional acoustic guitar-led tune that arrives paired with a performance video, viewable below. "The next song off of it is called Visiting Hours, which I finished for my friend Michael who sadly passed away this year," the 30-year-old revealed. It follows the previously unveiled lead single Bad Habits, with another track due to be released on September 10.
In a statement about the record, Sheeran said:
"= (Equals) is a really personal record and one that means a lot to me. My life changed greatly over the past few years — I got married, became a father, experienced loss, and I reflect on these topics over the course of the album. I see it as my coming-of-age record, and I can’t wait to share this next chapter with you."
He previously announced he will celebrate the 10th anniversary of his 2011 debut album, '+' (pronounced plus), with a show at London's O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire on September 2.
'=' tracklist:
1. Tides
2. Shivers
3. First Times
4. Bad Habits
5. Overpass Graffiti
6. The Joker And The Queen
7. Leave Your Life
8. Collide
9. 2step
10. Stop The Rain
11. Love In Slow Motion
12. Visiting Hours
13. Sandman
14. Be Right Now
Ed Sheeran Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Thu September 02 2021 - LONDON O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
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