Ed Sheeran Releases Sixth Studio Album ‘SUBTRACT’, Announces US Tour Dates

Global superstar Ed Sheeran has released his highly-anticipated sixth studio album, ‘-‘ (pronounced subtract), which is out today via Atlantic Records.

An album that revisits Sheeran’s singer songwriter roots, and one that was written against a backdrop of personal grief and hope, ‘Subtract’ presents him at his most vulnerable and honest. The album is ushered in by first single Eyes Closed and the recently released, Boat.

To celebrate the release, Sheeran will premiere the visual album consisting of 14 official music videos, beginning at 11am EST today via his official YouTube page. Following the premiere, fans will be able to go to Ed’s After Party on YouTube, where he will be delivering an exclusive acoustic performance of Eyes Closed. Additionally, the official music video for the track Curtains will make its global broadcast premiere on MTV Live, MTVU, MTV Biggest Pop and across MTV’s global network of channels, as well as on the Paramount billboards in New York City’s Times Square.

‘Subtract‘ is the result of Sheeran pushing the boundaries of his songcraft, as he delivers arguably the most profound songwriting of his career. Teaming-up with Aaron Dessner (The National) on writing and production after the pair joined forces following an introduction from mutual friend Taylor Swift, the pair began crafting the album in February last year. Writing over 30 songs during their month-long studio stint in Kent, UK, the album’s 14 tracks are tied together by exquisite production from paired back, folk-leaning textures to bolder, full-band/orchestral arrangements.

Next Wednesday, May 10, Sheeran will also kick off the second season of Apple Music Live. In the intimate live performance, he'll showcase ‘Subtract' in full for the first time alongside a 12-piece band including Aaron Dessner. Fans can stream the performance on demand on both Apple Music and Apple TV+ beginning at 1pm PST on May 10. The trailer is available to view here.

Meanwhile, Sheeran recently announced the "- TOUR", which features an intimate run of dates in theatres and auditoriums across 14 cities in North America. These shows coincide with the previously announced "+ - = ÷ x TOUR", his massive stadium tour which kicks off at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, on May 6 (see full itinerary here).

“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,” Sheeran said of the new record. “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.

“This is last February’s diary entry and my way of making sense of it. This is Subtract.”

‘-‘ (Subtract) Tracklist:

Boat

Salt Water

Eyes Closed

Life Goes On

Dusty

End Of Youth

Colourblind

Curtains

Borderline

Spark

Vega

Sycamore

No Strings

The Hills of Aberfeldy