An Ed Sheeran x 'Subtract' appreciation post.
An Ed Sheeran x 'Subtract' appreciation post.
Ed Sheeran has just released his sixth studio album, 'Subtract' - the final instalment in his mathematical album series.
Speaking about the album on his social media, he wrote: "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.
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 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.
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."
So today on the day of release, we are celebrating...
#1. The first two singles, 'Eyes Closed' and 'Boat'.
#2. His documentary 'The Sum Of It All' also released on Disney+ this week.
#3. The 'Subtract' visual album is premiering on Youtube Friday 5th May at 11am ET / 4pm BST. Or 6th May at 3am if you're in New Zealand.
#4. Click here to check out the 'Subtract' merch available - including a zine and a plushie!
#5. Ed has announced he will be doing an intimate North American tour "so I can play Subtract the entire way through with full band in an intimate setting".
Ed Sheeran's 'Subtract' is out now - listen below:
