Ed Sheeran teased his unreleased track titled “Azizam” on Wednesday, while also delivering good news: his next album is ready for the masses.
In an Instagram video, Sheeran is seen at a studio with producer, Ilya Salmanzadeh, as they bop along — and Sheeran dances around the room — to a mix of the new song. “And if love’s just a game, come and play,” sings Sheeran over the track’s beat. “Azizam/ Meet me on the floor tonight/ Show me how to move like the water/ In between the dancing lights/ Be my, be my Azizam.”
The singer-songwriter caption the post: “Album done. Single soon. I’m very excited as you can tell.” “Azizam,” which is a Persian term of endearment, was first performed by the artist during an impromptu street performance in New Orleans’ French Quarter last week.
The Grammy winner also popped up at a Boston pub on St. Patrick’s Day to perform a surprise acoustic set while backed by band members of the Irish folk band Beoga and delivering a melody of his hits, including “Galway Girl,” “Shape of You,” and “Nancy Mulligan.”
Sheeran’s recent pop-ups are part of a string surprise shows around the United States. Prior to the stop in Boston’s, Sheeran visited Nashville’s Tootsie’s World Famous Orchid Lounge where he sported a pink cowboy hat to sing a rendition of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” alongside friend Jackson Capps.
The upcoming, yet-to-be-titled album will be Sheeran’s eighth studio album; his last LP, Autumn Variations, dropped in 2023 and reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200.
From Rolling Stone US