Ed Sheeran's New Music—Everything We Know So Far

By Safeeyah Kazi On 6/1/21 at 12:14 PM EDT

After a two-year wait, Ed Sheeran has revealed his upcoming fifth studio album is on the way.

The "Shape of You" hitmaker last released an album in 2019. The record, known as the No.6 Collaborations Project, saw Sheeran team up with a host of massive names, including Khalid, Eminem and Cardi B.

Now, the musician is finally back on the scene after a break from the public eye, which saw him welcome his daughter Lyra with wife Cherry Seaborn.

The First Single Has Been Delayed

He opened up on the album's first single, which was expected to be unveiled at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend festival, but has since been pushed back.

"My first single was meant to be ready for now and I was meant to be playing it at [BBC Radio] 1's Big Weekend, so it does feel a bit weird starting with Castle on the Hill instead of the new tune," Sheeran told the radio station.

He went on to explain the delay had been caused by pre-production for the song's music video, which he promised is "really good."

He's Not Sure How It's Going To Be Received

Sheeran told the station how the single is "really really different" from what he's released in the past.

He added that whilst he could easily release something familiar to his audience, such as "Castle on The Hill" or "Thinking Out Loud," he enjoys the feeling of not knowing how a song will go down with fans.

The Album Is a Mix of Everything He's Done so Far

The "South of The Border" singer said he's created a lot of songs for the upcoming project during his two-year break.

Whilst the lead single is set to push boundaries, the overall sound of the record is set to bring together everything he has put out since the release of his debut 2011 album +.

"It's kind of like an amalgamation of all the records," Sheeran confirmed to BBC Radio 1.

A Band Could Be a Permanent Fixture

Sheeran, who is famous for performing solo through the use of a loop pedal, has revealed that he's now put a band together in hopes of changing up his set on tour.

He didn't reveal whether or not the band will feature on the record or solely join him on tours but he did say they have helped create consistency in his sets.