Ed Sheeran announces new album ‘Equals’ to release this October, drops new emotional single ‘Visiting Hours’ – WATCH – Times of India

Sheeran said his new album is “really personal.” He said his life changed in the past few years after marriage and the birth of the couple’s daughter.

“I see it as my coming-of-age record, and I can’t wait to share this next chapter with you,” the singer-songwriter said in a statement.

His note read, “My 4th studio album ‘=’ comes out October 29th, and is available to preorder today on all platforms, cd, vinyl and cassette. I started writing and recording this album June 2017. It’s been a long, long process. I’ve been through love, loss, new life, grief and everything in between during the whole period of writing it, and I feel like it’s really a coming of age record. I’ve never been more proud of a body of work, or more excited/nervous for you all to hear it. The next song off of it is called Visiting Hours, which I finished for my friend Michael who sadly passed away this year. If you preorder the album you get this song with it, but it’s also on all platforms from now too. Lots more music to come, but for now, I hope you are as excited as me for this album. ‘=’ everywhere from October 29th.”

Speaking about grief, the singer said that his new single ‘Visiting Hours’ is one of the most important songs on the album. Opening up about the track, he said, “Filmed a live version of visiting hours in St Stephens Church, Hampstead. I finished writing this song going through proper grief for the first time, and for me it’s one of the most important songs on ‘=’.”

The four-time Grammy winner took a break from work and social media in late 2019 after two years of touring in support of his best-selling album “÷” or “Divide.”

The new album was written and recorded across London, Sweden and Los Angeles.

Next month, Sheeran will perform in a concert to kick off the NFL season opener between the reigning Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Dallas Cowboys in Florida.