Ed Sheeran’s highly anticipated return to mainstream pop is slated for 2025, marking a significant shift from his recent musical endeavors. The celebrated singer-songwriter has confirmed the completion of his next album and has already commenced visual preparations, having secretly filmed two music videos with plans for two more in early 2024. This strategic move signals a concerted effort towards a major promotional campaign for the upcoming release.
Sheeran’s recent focus has been on collaborative projects outside his typical pop sphere. Notably, he partnered with renowned filmmaker Richard Curtis on the Netflix animated feature, “That Christmas,” contributing the poignant holiday track, “Under the Tree.” This project offered Sheeran a unique opportunity to craft his first melancholic Christmas song, a departure from his usual upbeat style, reflecting a more somber reality that many experience during the holiday season. The collaboration originated from Curtis sharing early storyboards with Sheeran, initially envisioning “That Christmas” as a musical. Though the project evolved, the collaboration resulted in “Under the Tree,” a song that Curtis praised for its lyrical magic and emotional resonance within the film’s narrative.
The shift back to pop music marks a conscious return for Sheeran, who acknowledges a departure from the genre in his previous two albums. He attributes this to the timing of “Equals,” released during the pandemic, and the distinct nature of “Subtract,” an album he felt didn’t lend itself to the grand scale of pop production. This forthcoming album signifies a renewed embrace of the pop sensibilities that catapulted him to global stardom. The anticipation surrounding this return underscores the significance of Sheeran’s impact on the pop landscape.
The upcoming album’s completion and the proactive filming of music videos indicate a meticulous approach to its launch. Sheeran’s commitment to visual storytelling through music videos suggests a desire to create a comprehensive and immersive experience for his fans. This strategic combination of musical and visual elements is likely to amplify the album’s impact and resonate with a wider audience.
Beyond the music itself, the carefully orchestrated rollout suggests a calculated strategy designed to maximize the album’s reach and impact. This proactive approach, combined with the artist’s established global fanbase, sets the stage for a significant commercial and critical success. The album’s release promises to be a major event in the pop music calendar.
Sheeran’s return to pop is not merely a continuation of his career but a calculated re-engagement with the genre. It represents a conscious decision to re-embrace the large-scale pop production and songwriting that defined his earlier success, while building upon the creative exploration evident in his more recent, introspective projects. This calculated move suggests a renewed focus on connecting with a broader audience and solidifying his position as a leading figure in contemporary pop music.
