Ed Sheeran has returned with his newest EP Play, a project that brings together a range of celebrated South Asian artists, including Hanumankind, Dhee, Arijit Singh, Karan Aujla, Santhosh Narayanan, and Jonita Gandhi. The release showcases Sheeran’s signature style while incorporating diverse regional influences, creating a fresh and energetic musical experience for fans worldwide.
Taking to Instagram, Ed shared a heartfelt note about his journey working with these artists, describing how touring India over the past decade exposed him to a variety of musical styles and cultures. “Making and finishing Play in India was such a fun experience. I wanted to represent as much as I could on this EP,” he wrote, highlighting the personal connections he made along the way.
One standout track, Symmetry featuring Karan Aujla, sees Ed singing alongside the Punjabi artist, with Karan guiding him through some of the Punjabi lyrics. Ed described Karan as “culture,” praising the movement he is creating with Ikky and expressing excitement about their creative partnership. He also mentioned that shooting the black-and-white music video for the track was a memorable part of the collaboration. “I feel like this is the beginning of our collaborative journey. I’m so excited to create more,” Ed added.
Fans have been quick to respond, appreciating the cross-cultural fusion and the EP’s cool vibe and aesthetics. With Play, Ed Sheeran continues to demonstrate his global musical reach while shining a spotlight on India’s rich talent pool.