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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Dominique Hines

Ed Sheeran's 'Azizam' sparks emotional outpouring from Persian fans despite critics' poor reviews

Ed Sheeran Azizam Ilya Salmanzadeh BBC Radio 2
Ed Sheeran - (BBC PA)

New single blending Farsi lyrics and Iranian melodies divides music writers but becomes instant cultural moment for Middle Eastern listeners

The opening notes of Ed Sheeran's surprise new single "Azizam" - a shimmering blend of Persian instrumentation and the star's signature pop sensibility - have triggered an extraordinary emotional response from Iranian communities worldwide.

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