Ed Sheeran ’s latest single, “Azizam,” is a daring sidestep into new sonic territory — and it might be his most adventurous move yet.
Off his upcoming album Play, “Azizam” finds the globally adored singer-songwriter ditching the acoustic, heart-on-sleeve formula that built his empire for something far bolder: a kaleidoscopic fusion of Persian and Irish folk influences, stitched together with a slick pop sensibility. The result? A celebratory, rhythm-driven track that feels like both a cultural exchange and a personal reinvention.
The collaboration with Swedish-Iranian producer Ilya Salmanzadeh (Ilya), best known for his work with Ariana Grande and Beyoncé, is not just a smart production decision — it’s an inspired artistic risk. Their mutual discovery of overlapping textures between Persian and Irish traditional music isn’t just lip service either. You can hear it in the details: the modal flourishes, the plucky string work, and the subtle but potent percussive energy that lifts the song into festival territory.
Sheeran has always had a knack for turning universal themes into singalongs, but here, he embraces something deeper. “Azizam” (Farsi for “my dear”) is sung with a reverence and a wide-eyed joy that transcends language barriers. There’s an authenticity in how Sheeran lets go — not just of English, in the Farsi version of the track, but of genre boundaries and expectations.
Is it pop? Definitely, but it’s also a cultural celebration, a musical passport stamp, and a love letter to global sounds. In an era where artists often play it safe, “Azizam” is a reminder of the magic that happens when pop is unafraid to evolve.
With this first glimpse of Play, Sheeran signals a more eclectic, international phase — one where the party is open to all, and the music speaks more languages than ever before.
