Multi-award winning singer-songwriter, Ed Sheeran, surprises fans with a preview of his anticipated single “Eyes Closed,” due out March 24. The song comes off the artist’s final installment of the mathematics album era, Subtract.
The British musician premiered a snippet on his TikTok and shared the lyrics: “So I’m dancing with my eyes closed / cause everywhere I look I still see you / Time is moving so slow / And I don’t know what else that I can do / So I’ll keep dancing with my eyes, eyes, eyes closed.”
@edsheeran Eyes Closed. 24.03.23 x #NewMusic ♬ Eyes Closed – Ed Sheeran
The follow-up to +, x, ÷, and = is set to be released on May 5. Sheeran, who co-wrote and produced the record with Aaron Dessner, says: “As an artist I didn’t feel like I could credibly put a body of work into the world that didn’t accurately represent where I am and how I need to express myself at this point in my life. This album is purely that.”
He adds: “It’s opening the trapdoor into my soul. For the first time I’m not trying to craft an album people will like, I’m merely putting something out that’s honest and true to where I am in my adult life.”
The singer wrote “Eyes Closed” and the upcoming album at a very vulnerable time.
“Within the space of a month, my pregnant wife got told she had a tumor, with no route to treatment until after the birth. My best friend Jamal [Edwards], a brother to me, died suddenly and I found myself standing in court defending my integrity and career as a songwriter. I was spiraling through fear, depression and anxiety. I felt like I was drowning, head below the surface, looking up but not being able to break through for air.”
In addition to preparing for the release of the new album, Ed Sheeran is getting ready to go on a UK and European arena tour later this month.
