Ed Sheeran finds himself embroiled in controversy surrounding his latest album, *Play*. The "Perfect" crooner is under suspicion for potentially employing AI in this newest musical endeavor. According to RadarOnline, a faction of critics has branded portions of the new record as "cheesy" and "devoid of life," fueling speculation that the lyrics might have been generated by AI tools such as ChatGPT, rather than being penned by Sheeran himself.
One insider offered a sarcastic jab at the perceived lack of authenticity, quipping, "There might be three parties involved in his marriage now—Ed, Cherry, and ChatGPT." This pointed barb was a response to what the source described as the notably lackluster lyricism found in tracks like "Symmetry."
Another well-placed source was even more blunt in their critique, stating, "The AI question looms large over this record. It's disheartening because Ed, at his peak, has always been known for his personal and poetic touch. Here, it seems like he's handed over his soul to someone else."
Sheeran, 34, has yet to directly confront these allegations. However, he has characterized the album as a profoundly personal reaction to what he terms "the darkest period of my life." This tumultuous era encompassed his wife Cherry's cancer diagnosis during her pregnancy, the sudden and tragic loss of his mentor Jamal Edwards, and the strain of two plagiarism lawsuits.
Despite the personal trials Sheeran has endured, numerous insiders believe that the new album falls short of the lofty expectations set for one of the world's most renowned songwriters.
The controversy is further compounded by another astonishing revelation from Sheeran: he has already crafted a posthumous album slated for release after his passing. He has bestowed upon his wife, Cherry, the ultimate responsibility of curating the tracklist.
Sheeran divulged, "It's actually stipulated in my will. If I were to pass away tomorrow, Cherry would have the final say in selecting the tracks for it."
