Ed Sheeran’s Play: Every song ranked from best to worst

Ed Sheeran's eighth studio album, Play, is out, seemingly inspired by cultural and personal life experiences. The 13-track record is a predecessor to other albums in the series, including Pause, Rewind, Fast Forward, and Stop, per USA Today. The singer spoke about the album to iHeartRadio Canada, describing that each track on it has a "purpose."

He noted that from writing to promotions, the album felt like the "polar opposite" of "Subtract", which he released previously in 2023. He gave a sneak peek at his upcoming album, Rewind and explained that he made it at the same time as Play. He said,

"We finished PLAY first because it felt like the most exciting one. But yeah, they're very much like twin albums, I guess. One was one lent more into Indian culture and one lent more into nostalgia. So they kind of veered off in different directions."

Ed also released the video of Camera featuring actress Phoebe Dynevor.

Note: This article reflects the writer’s opinion. Do comment with your suggestions to let us know which other items deserve to make the list.

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Every song ranked from best to worst on Ed Sheeran’s Play

Let's take a look at Ed Sheeran's new album, ranking the tracks from best to worst:

1. Sapphire & Azizam

Sapphire is a cultural delight and doesn't shy away from being bold and spirited. Joining singer Arijit Singh in the chorus, Ed Sheeran sings the chorus in Hindi, which has championed the hearts of many. Although quite different from Sapphire, Azizam shares a similar spirit.

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2. Old Phone

Old Phone evokes bittersweet memories for Ed Sheeran, channelling emotions and thoughts similar to Photograph. However, he emphasises that things of the past should be left in the past.

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3. Opening

In the opening track of the album, Ed starts slow and switches gears into a swift rap. The track appears to be a motivational reminder for Ed as he looks back at his life's difficulties and vulnerabilities.

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4. Symmetry

Indian traditional beats in the background are core to Symmetry. Listeners on YouTube note that the track brings out Ed Sheeran's best and feels like Shape of You from an alternative world.

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5. A Little More

While A Little More's music video went viral, the lyrics shouldn't be missed. Ed shows his snarky side in a breakup song, leaving the audience in splits and empathy for the protagonist, Rupert Grint.

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6. Freedom & Heaven

In Freedom, Ed Sheeran represents a collective spirit and offers a shoulder to rely on. The vocals are gentle, while the beats are upbeat and create a positive ambience. It's a smooth shift from Freedom to Heaven, with the latter featuring Indian beats and vocals.

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7. Don't Look Down

Ed's song with long-time collaborator and friend Fred leads you to an electro-vibe, with flute and trance-like music playing in the background. The track stands out in the album and keeps one hooked.

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8. Camera

In Camera, Ed Sheeran brings his poetic and romantic self and pays tribute to his wife. In an Instagram post (@teddysphotos), he had revealed that his original music video featured clips from his and his wife's life, but they kept that for themselves and shared another version with the world.

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9. The Vow

For the majority of the album, Ed Sheeran treads on the romantic route and completes his vision with The Vow. One can imagine the track being played on the wedding aisle, a subtle reminder of John Legend's All of Me.

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10. For Always

Ed pairs with a songwriter and record producer, Amy Allen, for an emotional ballad. According to Billboard, the track is a promise note to be his child's forever companion, while Amy adds a gentle contrast.

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11. In Other Words & Slowly

In Other Words is a soft ballad that urges listeners to slow down. Users on YouTube noted that they missed the soothing tracks by Ed, and this one fits the bill. Slowly complements In Other Words and touches on deeper themes of love. Although a sentimental track, it seems distinct from the album's message of play.

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Which is your favourite track from the album? Tell us in the comments below.