Ed Sheeran launches the new era `Playful ” with a song influenced by Persian, Azizam

After a pair of discreet introspective albums, Ed Sheeran returned to his roots with a new shimmering single pop, Azizam.

The track sees the star incorporating the influences of the Middle East, inspired by the Persian heritage of producer Illa Salmanzadeh.

The title means “my dear” or “My Darling” in Farsi, and the song incorporates instruments like Ghatam, a clay pot commonly used as percussion in southern India, and the Santur, a hammered dulcimer of Iranian origin.

“Now the song is over, and it’s over, I discover more and more every day that the Persians are really, really proud of their culture, and it’s great to celebrate it,” Sheeran told BBC Radio 1.

Azizam comes out in a crowded week for new music, with songs back from Miley Cyrus, Wet Leg and Elton John in the running for rivers.

Sheeran’s piece does not go too far from its usual pop model, but the Persian influences will undoubtedly strengthen its figures in the Middle East – the fastest music market in the world.

It is a trick that the star has taken previously.

Fan of voracious music with an instinct for new commercial opportunities, he collaborated with Afrobeats stars like Burna Boy and Fireboy DML, learned the Spaniard for a disc with the Colombian singer J Balvin, made a hat to Irish folk music on Galway Girl, and even sung in punjabi During a recent concert in Mumbai.

Speaking of the creation of Azizam, the star said that he had “had a lot of pleasure” immersing herself in Persian music.

“I loved the way a lot of rhythms, scales, melodies and instruments were different but similar to the Irish commercial music with which I grew up.”

The inspiration came Salmanzadeh, a Swedish singer-songwriter of Iranian origin, who previously marked major successes with Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé.

“One day, he was just like,” I would like to do something in the culture where I come from “and that’s how it was launched,” Sheeran told Greg James 1.

“It (become) the first single of an album which is super fun and festive.”

Sheeran made his debut three weeks ago In the streets of New Orleans during a surprise performance in the French city district, accompanied by Soul Rebels Brass Band.

The recorded version also includes substantive voices of the Citizens of the World Choir, which is made up of refugees and allies.

The first opinions were largely positive, with some warnings.

By granting him three stars, the Guardian said that the Persian elements felt accessories for what was an extremely “Anglo-Saxon” pop song.

“Azizam does his job with the kind of ruthless efficiency that you could expect from Sheeran in shameless pop mode”, ” wrote Pop critic Alexis Petridis.

“It has a hook that completely digs your brain the first time you hear it and is impossible to dislodge later.

The song is “banal, feather musical esperanto”, Adding Neil McCormick of the telegraph.

“Lighter than candies and twice as sticky … It will be the number one on each Spotify playlist by tomorrow, essential all spring and summer, and the next time you ask me, I will probably declare a Bubblegum classic.”

The fans were more sympathetic. On Radio 2, an auditor sent a text to Sheeran to offer their praise.

“I come from an Iranian family, and there are so many influences of Persian music in the song, which is incredible to hear,” they said.

The song is the first piece of the eighth studio album by Sheeran, which should be released later this year.

Speaking on the American discussion show The Tonight Show, the 34 -year -old confirmed that the record would be entitled Play, launching a new series of records that will be called pause, repayment, fast and stop.

He also suggested that he provided a posthumous outing, containing songs written throughout his life. Addressing the host Jimmy Fallon, he joked saying that the album would be called Eject.

His new equipment arrives at a crucial crossroads of his career. One of the best-selling acts of the 2010s, the last two albums of the star have underperform.

Subtract, published in May 2023, presented a more discreet introspective side to the sparkling pop character of the star – with the production of Aaron Dessner of the National.

Although he received some of the best criticisms of his career, it was his first album not to go platinum in the United Kingdom.

A companion album, Autumn Variations, released later the same year, was even worse.

Despite his number one beginnings, he left the top 40 after two weeks and has not yet been certified gold – which means that he has sold less than 100,000 copies.

However, the star remains one of the most disseminated acts in the world. On Spotify, 12 of his songs exceeded 1 billion pieces.

The most popular form of you is the second most broadcast song of all time, with 4.3 billion flows.