Ed Sheeran shares previews of every song from forthcoming album ‘=’

Ed Sheeran has shared snippets of each song from his forthcoming album ‘=’ ahead of its release this Friday (October 29).

Shared in a new series of 14 YouTube Shorts, the British artist previewed short clips of each track along with a different video for each.

“I had a really fun day shooting my YouTube Shorts,” Sheeran said about the series. “I’ve always really enjoyed the music video process, so it was fun to explore a new way of doing that by channeling each song’s theme in a unique way, while also giving you a sneak peek of the album!”

The shorts were recorded to give fans an insight into the personal journey of Sheeran’s album, and the four-years-in-the-making journey inspired by both intimate and everyday moments reflected in the songs.

In the preview for ‘First Times’ Sheeran and wife Cherry Seaborn are seen kissing and cuddling, while in the video for hit single ‘ Shivers’ he submerges himself in an ice bath while wearing a suit.

Sheeran’s first YouTube upload was in 2006, and has now become one of the top 10 most subscribed artists on the platform.

He has four videos that have reached a billion views, ‘Thinking Out Loud’, ‘Perfect’, ‘Photograph’ and ‘Shape of You’ which is the second most viewed music video in YouTube history and the second fastest to reach one billion views.

Lyor Cohen, Global Head of YouTube Music said: “From day one, I knew Ed and his music would have a lasting, global impact and that remains true today.

“Ed Sheeran is a storyteller and I am so stoked he is using YouTube Shorts to give his fans an audio and visual preview of his incredibly powerful new album.. This is going to be an unforgettable moment.”

Sheeran recently revealed that he and Elton John have collaborated on a Christmas single. Speaking with Dutch radio station NPO Radio 2, he said: “Elton rang me on Christmas Day to say Merry Christmas. Elton rings me almost every single day.”

He added that John was excited that his 1973 single, ‘Step Into Christmas’, had finally reached the UK top 10 last year. “[Elton] said, ‘Step Into Christmas is Number 6 in the charts! I want to do another Christmas song – will you do it with me?’” 

There was no mention of when the song might be released but Sheeran said it’s “just me and him – it’s great.”

The full ‘=’ tracklist is below.

1. Tides

2. Shivers

3. First Times

4. Bad Habits

5. Overpass Graffiti

6. The Joker And The Queen

7. Leave Your Life

8. Collide

9. 2step

10. Stop The Rain

11. Love In Slow Motion

12. Visiting Hours

13. Sandman

14. Be Right Now