Global superstar Ed Sheeran has released a studio recording of “Life Goes On (featuring Luke Combs)” — available everywhere now via Atlantic Records.
The pop troubadour Sheeran and Combs revealed the surprise release on social media shortly after their show-stopping, live performance of “Life Goes On” at the 2023 Academy of Country Music Awards. The original version of the track appears on Sheeran’s sixth studio album, ” – ” (Subtract) which also features lead single “Eyes Closed.” Luke Combs is currently celebrating the release of his new album “Getting Old” – a companion piece to his acclaimed 2022 record “Growin’ Up.”
“Oh, the storms will roll/ Easy come, hard go/ Then life goes on!”
Released last week, ” – ” (Subtract) is the result of Ed Sheeran pushing the boundaries of his songcraft, as he delivers the most profound songwriting of his career. Teaming up with Aaron Dessner on writing and production after the pair joined forces following an introduction from mutual friend Taylor Swift, Ed and Aaron began crafting the album in February last year.
Writing over 30 songs during their month-long studio stint in Kent, UK, the album’s fourteen tracks are seamlessly tied together by exquisite production from paired back, folk-leaning textures to bolder, full-band/orchestral arrangements.
Speaking about the making of his album, Sheeran stated: “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. Then at the start of 2022, a series of events changed my life, my mental health, and ultimately the way I viewed music and art.”
“Within the space of a month, my pregnant wife got told she had a tumour, with no route to treatment until after the birth. 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 spiralling 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,” he further added.
“As an artist, I didn’t feel like I could credibly put a body of work into the world that didn’t accurately represent where I am and how I need to express myself at this point in my life. This album is purely that. 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. 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.”
Blending never-before-seen personal archive, interviews and performances, the four-part docu-series “Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All” is streaming on Disney+ now. Timed with the arrival of “ –” (Subtract) the intimate documentary explores how his personal experiences have shaped him to become the artist he is today.
Watch the emotional, official trailer below:
Download, stream and listen to “Life Goes On” (feat. Luke Combs) here!
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