Featured art by Bhernn Saenz. Images courtesy of Petros Studio via Warner Music Philippines.
GLOBAL RELEASE — Global music icon Ed Sheeran breaks new ground to the enchanting world of “Azizam”. Derived from a Persian term of endearment that means “my dear” or “my beloved,” Sheeran’s new song is a return to joy, to light, and to love.
“Azizam” began as a meeting of minds in the studio with Swedish/Iranian producer Ilya Salmanzadeh (Ariana Grande, Charli XCX, Ellie Goulding, Sam Smith). Driven by the musician’s relentless curiosity, they soon realized how much Persian and Irish folk music have in common. This then led to the multi-awarded musician melding influences in a pop context. The result is a rhythmic pop song that serves as a call to action to live the moment “in between the dancing lights” on the dance floor—a celebration of cross-cultural collaborations brought to life, this rhythmic pop song is about the universality of emotion.
Photographs courtesy of Petros Studio. Courtesy of Warner Music Philippines.
Sheeran shares, “Even though it’s completely different to anything that I’ve ever done before, Azizam feels familiar to me. 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.”
In a video accompanying the single release, he embarks on a journey across the US and UK with a pink, heart-shaped balloon in tow to the sights of New York from an iconic yellow taxi, cruises through Los Angeles in a classic open-top car, and braves the elements in rural Massachusetts. Along the way, he leads a street party in New Orleans and makes stops in Boston and Nashville. And, of course, no trip would be complete without a visit to his beloved Ipswich Town FC.
Following a career-defining chapter on his “Mathematics” era, Sheeran is finally back and stepping boldly into a fresh new phase for 2025. An artist who has continuously pushed himself, and his craft, into new territory, he has since collaborated with producers and writers from across the globe on his upcoming album, which promises to be one of the year’s defining pop records.
Watch here:
Don't Miss
