Ed Sheeran is dancing toward the summer sun with “Azizam”, a vibrant new single released on Friday that feels like both a departure and a homecoming.
Teaming up with Swedish-Iranian superproducer Ilya Salmanzadeh (known for hits with Ariana Grande, Charli XCX, Ellie Goulding and Sam Smith), Ed Sheeran finds an unexpected groove—drawing sonic lines between Persian and Irish folk traditions, then spinning them into kaleidoscopic pop.
“Azizam” (“my beloved” in Farsi) is a rhythmic burst of life. It’s playful, percussive, and built for warm nights under mirror balls, pulsing with the energy of something refreshingly weird. With its roots in cross-cultural collaboration, the track is Sheeran at his most uninhibited: curious, fearless, and delightfully offbeat in the best way.
Featuring Persian musical textures woven into a dance-pop framework, the song comes alive with the help of Iranian and Indian artists contributing ghatam, daf, santoor, hammered dulcimer, lute, and layered backing vocals. The result is both global and intimate—an unexpected joyride that’s as heartfelt as it is rhythmically infectious.
“Even though it’s completely different to anything that I’ve ever done before, “Azizam” feels familiar to me,” he said. “I wanted to create a party atmosphere in a song and Ilya Salmanzadeh, who I worked with on the track, helped bring that to life. He was so inspiring to work with.”
The accompanying “Pink Heart” video—a lo-fi, quietly whimsical montage—follows Sheeran as he drifts through cities across the U.S. and the U.K. with a pink, heart-shaped balloon in tow. From cruising through Los Angeles in a vintage convertible to braving the rain in rural Massachusetts and catching glimpses of New York through a yellow cab window, the visuals mirror the track’s carefree, joy-forward spirit.
There’s no flashy choreography or cinematic drama here—just a series of tender, spontaneous moments strung together by the balloon’s gentle presence. It’s a celebration of small wonders, of fleeting beauty, and of finding connection in unexpected places.
From leading impromptu street parties in New Orleans to serenading fans atop a pink double-decker bus in London, Sheeran isn’t merely rolling out a single—he’s ushering in a whole new energy. There’s a shift in tone, in spirit, in intention—this doesn’t just feel like a promo run, it’s the soft launch of a brighter, bolder era.
“Azizam” is the first taste of Play, Sheeran’s upcoming eighth studio album — an ambitions project shaped by collaborations with producers and writers from across the globe. While full details remain under wraps, early signs point to a record that could redefine the pop landscape in 2025. And if this is the opening note, the next chapter isn’t arriving quietly—it’s bursting through the speakers.
Stream “Azizam” now on Spotify!
Connect with Ed Sheeran: Instagram
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