Ed Sheeran is reportedly just weeks away from releasing his seventh studio album — having only dropped - (Subtract) in May.
The singer is coming to the end of his world tour, which concludes a 13-year era that has seen him release six albums named after mathematical symbols, as well as a collaboration record.
But while others might be set for a break, Sheeran told fans in Minneapolis’s Bank Stadium over the weekend: “Autumn is coming and I will see you soon.”
The Suffolk-raised singer has not confirmed anything official or given a release date but has shared some cryptic autumnal messages on his Instagram. There were hints of days getting shorter, cups of tea, and friendship.
Autumn is comingggg!
— Ed Sheeran News (Fanpage) 🍂 (@EdSheeran_EU) August 13, 2023
Hints for song titles? The feeling/vibe of the album?
📸 screenshots from Ed’s reel pic.twitter.com/UUoiRqvXUA
Sheeran has also been heard making reference to the numbers nine and 29, leading some to speculate that he might be releasing an album on September 29.
A “source” close to Sheeran told the Sun: “Ed is going to be dropping a brand new record next month. It’s going to be massive for his fans, who’ve never had him drop two albums in a year before.
“It’s a massive change for him, as for years he has followed the traditional path of releasing a major album then going on tour. Now he’s going to drop the album to give fans something to look forward to after he wraps up the Mathematics tour next month.”
No single has been released after - (Subtract). The Sun reported that “three new songs” were played in Minneapolis, although this cannot be verified by the Standard and no unheard material was included in Sheeran’s Setlist profile for the show.
Maddie won tickets to Ed Sheeran tonight (thank you @heypaulfletcher!) so she took her bff, her dad, and her little brother, who just sent me this video and is having a blast at his first concert! pic.twitter.com/JpbOVwSHjW
— amanda (@amandakegs) August 13, 2023
While in the US city, he surprised fans by performing Lego House in front of the Lego shop in a mall.
Sheeran has previously said in interviews that he has loved living in Nashville and the country music scene of the city — but has stopped short of committing to a country album.
Whatever happens next has likely been long in the thoughts of Sheeran, who said he has masterminded his album cycle for the past 10-plus years.
“I’ve known for the past 13 years what Mathematics would be and now it’s, like, what to do next?” he told NBC.
