Ed Sheeran has just added another accolade to his already stellar career—his album Play has become his ninth UK Number One, according to the Official Charts Company.
What’s Behind Play
• Play is Sheeran’s eighth studio album, released on 12 September 2025.
• It marks the start of a new thematic series in his discography based on media control symbols (Play, Pause, Fast Forward, Rewind, Stop), following the “mathematical” series (+, ×, ÷, −, =) that many of his prior albums used.
• The album features a blend of styles and collaborators—he leans into pop but incorporates cross-cultural influences, varied production, and multiple singles including Azizam, Old Phone, Sapphire, A Little More, and Camera.
The Landmark: Ninth Number One
With Play, Sheeran has now matched the record of several famed UK acts—Bob Dylan, Take That, and Stereophonics—for the number of artists with the most UK Number One albums ever.
Here are some of Sheeran’s past Number One albums in the UK that lead up to nine:
• • (2011)
• × (2014)
• ÷ (2017)
• No.6 Collaborations Project (2019)
• = (2021)
• Autumn Variations (2023)
• +−=÷X (Tour Collection) (2024)
• And now Play (2025)
So this isn’t just another chart topper—it’s one that cements his place alongside long-standing UK musical legends.
What This Means
• Consistency & Evolution: Sheeran’s ability to hit No.1 time and again shows both his staying power and his willingness to change up style, theme, and production. Play isn’t a retread—it shows experimentation, global influences, and a fresh conceptual approach.
• Legacy: Matching acts like Bob Dylan and Stereophonics isn’t just about sales—it suggests longevity in the music industry, relevance across changing musical landscapes, and continuing fan loyalty.
• What’s Next: Since Play is only the first album in this new wave of themed releases, this sets the stage for future projects (Pause, Fast Forward, etc.) to potentially continue the momentum.
Here are some insights into how Play is doing globally and how critics are receiving it — what’s working, what’s dividing opinion, and where it seems to be headed.
Global Performance
• Play has hit No. 1 in Australia on the ARIA album chart — continuing Ed Sheeran’s streak of chart-topping albums there.
• It also debuted at No. 1 in New Zealand.
• In Italy, it reached No. 2.
• But not everywhere: for example, in Japan (Oricon) it peaked around No. 31 on the Combined Albums chart, and similarly modest showings in some Scandinavian and Baltic charts.
• In terms of singles from the album:
• Azizam was a strong lead single — it debuted at No. 3 in the UK, topped charts in Belgium and the Netherlands, and cracked top-10 in a few more European countries.
• Sapphire (with Indian artist Arijit Singh) also performed well, particularly in the UK and India, and had good chart showings in Europe.
So globally, Play is clearly successful. It’s hitting major markets, maintaining Sheeran’s dominance in places like the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and doing particularly well in parts of Europe, while underperforming relative to his biggest historical peaks in certain East Asian and Scandinavian regions.
Critical Reception: Mixed, With Some Highs and Some Lows
Overall the reviews are mixed, with many critics praising certain elements but also pointing out what they see as weaknesses.
What Critics Like
Cross-cultural and sonic experiments
There’s praise for Sheeran trying out blending Indian, Persian sounds into his pop style. Some tracks like Azizam, Sapphire, and Symmetry get called out as highlights for their texture and fresh influences.
Emotional moments & production polish
Critics comment that the production is slick and the emotional tone in some songs hits well. There’s appreciation for how he mixes upbeat tracks and more reflective ones.
Familiar comfort
For many listeners and reviewers, there’s comfort in Sheeran doing what he does best: strong melodies, relatable lyrics, acoustic touches. Some reviews emphasize that while it isn’t radically new, there’s something dependable in that.
Criticisms
Formulaic & safe
A recurring point: that Sheeran plays it safe on large parts of the album, too much sticking to familiar territory. Some say there’s less risk than in past work.
Mixed lyrical depth
Some tracks are seen as shallow, or using clichés (themes like stars, heaven, etc.). Also criticism for attempts at rap or more stylized lyrical sections that don’t always land.
Overstuffed or inconsistent pacing
A few reviews say the album might have benefited from trimming; some tracks feel less cohesive, or that the album lacks a strong through-line.
Moments of fatigue
Some say Sheeran seems a bit weary or perhaps less inspired in parts — that the energy, while present, doesn’t always push forward into new territory.
What This Suggests
• Play consolidates Sheeran’s status: it shows that the core audience still responds strongly, and that he has the pull to get No. 1 albums in many international markets.
• At the same time, the mixed reviews suggest there’s a balancing act ahead—between giving fans what they expect vs. pushing his artistry further.
• The cross-cultural elements seem to be among the most praised parts; these might point toward where critics (and perhaps some segments of the audience) hope Sheeran will continue to experiment more.
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