Ed Sheeran continues to tease his new album Play with the release of ‘Sapphire’ – a dazzling anthem of connection and unbridled joy.
Radiating with vibrant pop energy and rich cross-cultural influences, ‘Sapphire’ is an uplifting release which focuses on a luminous celebration of love that transcends boundaries. The track sees Ed team up with legendary Indian artist Arijit Singh, combining Ed’s trademark sound with intricate South-Asian percussion to create a universal anthem of love. ‘Sapphire’ also features production by Ilya Salmanzadeh, Johnny McDaid, and Savan Kotecha.
‘Sapphire’ comes accompanied by a colourful video directed by Liam Pethick. It features Arijit and a cameo from iconic actor Shah Rukh Khan, and follows Ed as he performs the song across various vibrant locations. include serene beaches, local kitchens, bustling markets and Bollywood backlots. Highlights include meeting up with Arijit for a studio session and motorcycle ride around his hometown, plus a visit to the A.R. Rahman music school, where he performs with local musicians.
Speaking about his latest release, Ed says: “’Sapphire’ was the first song I finished for Play that made me know where the album was heading. It’s why I finished the recording process in Goa surrounded by some of the best musicians in India. It was an incredible creative process. I shot the music video with Liam and Nic across my India tour earlier this year, we wanted to showcase the beauty and breadth of the country and its culture.
“The final jigsaw piece for me was getting Arijit on the record. It was a journey to get there and such an amazing day of music and family. Me and him have done a full Punjabi version of the song that will come out in the next few weeks, which has a lot more of him on it. This is the album version of the song, and my favourite song on the album. Hope you guys love it. x”
‘Sapphire’ follows on from the release of technicolour pop anthem ‘Azizam’ and the heartfelt ‘Old Phone’, giving us a taste into what we can expect from Play when it releases on September 12. This album looks set to see Ed explore new musical ground through collaboration with artists and producers from across the world, whilst also building on the timeless Sheeran sound that we know and love.
Play is available to pre-order here.
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