Ed Sheeran sent waves of exhilaration coursing through his fanbase as he opened up about his eagerly anticipated upcoming album, *Rewind*, while simultaneously ramping up excitement for the impending release of *Play*. Sheeran delved into the intricate process of crafting both new albums in tandem, revealing how they initially bore a striking resemblance but eventually diverged, shaped by distinct thematic undercurrents.
In a revealing interview on September 12, Sheeran disclosed that the *Rewind* album was nearing its final stages. "I crafted *Play* and *Rewind* concurrently. We wrapped up *Play* first because it felt like the most electrifying project," he shared with iHeartRadio Canada. "So, *Rewind* is, I'd say, just two months shy of being fully polished and primed for release. And I reckon, at some juncture within the next 18 months, it'll grace the airwaves."
The *Sapphire* chart-topper further elaborated, "They're like twin albums, in a way, I suppose. One delved deeper into Indian culture, while the other embraced nostalgia. So, they naturally took divergent paths."
*Play* marks the inaugural installment in Sheeran's forthcoming album series. Earlier this year, the crooner behind *Photograph* unveiled the concept on *The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon*. "When I was around 18, I envisioned a sequence of 10 albums. It's *Plus*, *Multiply*, *Divide*, *Subtract*, *Equals*, and then *Play*, *Pause*, *Fast Forward*, *Rewind*, and *Stop*," he explained.
The *Azizam* maestro also let slip his intriguing plans for a posthumous record. "I've toyed with the idea of creating an album that encapsulates my entire life's journey. You'd compile a diverse array of songs, and then, in your will, stipulate that it's released on the day of your passing. I'm thinking of calling it *Eject*," he mused.
The *Play* album boasts a slew of chart-topping singles, including *Azizam*, *Sapphire*, *Old Phone*, and *A Little More*. Moreover, Sheeran's upcoming *The Loop Tour*, designed to promote the new album, is slated to commence on January 16, 2026, promising fans an unforgettable musical odyssey.
