Ed Sheeran used music to cope with his emotions and penned an album titled Subtract, which is set to release on May 5th. Sharing the news on Wednesday morning (1 March), the 32-year-old opened up about the inspiration behind the new body of work.

Ed Sheeran's New Album- 'Subtract'

Ed Sheeran is a prodigious musician whose artistry has captured the affection of countless fans worldwide. Born on February 17, 1991, in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England, Sheeran spent his formative years in Framlingham, Suffolk, where he cultivated his passion for music. He began performing at local venues at a young age, honing his craft and nurturing his talent.

In 2011, Sheeran released his debut album "+," which contained hits such as "The A-Team" and "Lego House." The album was a runaway success, catapulting Sheeran to international stardom and garnering him critical acclaim.

Since then, Sheeran has gone on to release several successful albums, including "x" and "÷." His music has won him numerous accolades and awards, such as four Grammy Awards, six Brit Awards, and an Ivor Novello Award. He has also collaborated with a host of other artists, including Justin Bieber, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift, to name a few.

Ed Sheeran, one of the biggest music stars in Britain, has had a tough year. In a handwritten note posted on social media, he revealed that his wife, Cherry Seaborn, was diagnosed with a tumor while pregnant with their second child. She had to wait until after the birth for treatment, causing immense stress and worry for the couple. At the same time, the singer was in court daily for a copyright trial, adding to his already mounting anxiety.

To make matters worse, Sheeran's close friend and the person who gave him his big break, Jamal Edwards, passed away suddenly from a heart attack, leaving the singer devastated. All of these events led to a spiral of despair, anxiety, and depression for Sheeran.

However, the singer used music to cope with his emotions and penned an album titled Subtract, which is set to release on May 5th. The album was initially planned as an acoustic project but was rewritten in a week-long outpouring of emotions, resulting in a mix of paired-back, folk-leaning textures, and bold, full-band/orchestral arrangements.

In his note, Sheeran mentioned that he scrapped "masses" of songs he had written for his upcoming sixth album. He wanted to release something honest and true to where he was in his adult life. The album will not feature his one-off single F64, which was a visceral reaction to Jamal Edwards' death.

Unlike his previous albums, Subtract's artwork does not feature the title's mathematical symbol. Instead, it showcases a corroding heart, emphasizing the album's emotional nature.

The album's title seems to reflect the singer's state of mind, a response to his challenging year. The press release from his record label Atlantic describes the album's content as a backdrop of grief and hope.

Sharing the news on Wednesday morning (1 March), the 32-year-old opened up about the inspiration behind the new body of work.

“I had 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 thought it should be,” began the singer on the forthcoming record.

However, after a “series of events that changed [his] life”, the new album will instead revisit the singer’s songwriter roots and cover his grief and hope.

”At the start of 2022, a series of events changed my life, my mental health, and ultimately the way I viewed music and art. Writing songs is my therapy. It helps me make sense of my feelings.”

“I wrote without thought of what the songs would be, I just wrote whatever tumbled out. And in just over a week, I replaced a decade’s worth of work with my deepest darkest thoughts. Within the space of a month, my pregnant wife got told she had a tumor, with no route to treatment until after the birth,” said the singer.

“My best friend Jamal, a brother to me, died suddenly and I found myself standing in court defending my integrity and career as a songwriter. I was spiraling through fear, depression, and anxiety. I felt like I was drowning, head below the surface, looking up but not being able to break through for air.”

Sheeran said the album represents where he is now and “how [he] needs to express [himself] at this point in his life.

“It’s opening the trapdoor into my soul. For the first time I’m not trying to craft an album people will like, I’m merely putting something out that’s honest and true to where I am in my adult life. This is last February’s diary entry and my way of making sense of it,” he said. “This is Subtract.”

Ed Sheeran's upcoming album Subtract seems to be a deeply personal and emotional project for the singer, a reflection of his challenging year. The album promises to be a mix of folk and orchestral arrangements, showcasing the singer's versatility and talent. Fans eagerly anticipate the release, and it will be interesting to see the response to this raw and honest project.

Subtract - Tracklist: 

1. Boat 

2. Saltwater 

3. Eyes Closed 

4. Life Goes On 

5. Dusty 

6. End Of Youth 

7. Colorblind 

8. Curtains 

9. Borderline 

10. Spark 

11. Vega 

12. Sycamore 

13. No Strings 

14. The Hills of Aberfeldy 

In conclusion, Ed Sheeran is an exceptional musician whose talent and dedication have won him legions of fans around the world. He has used his platform to raise awareness of important issues and has been an inspiration to many. Sheeran's authenticity and sincerity have made him a beloved figure in the music industry, and his contributions will undoubtedly continue to shape the landscape of music for years to come.