Yes, he’s back! A Persian term of endearment that means “my dear” or “my beloved,” Ed Sheeran’s new single “Azizam” is a return to joy for the pop sensation.
The song began as a meeting of minds, as Swedish/Iranian producer Ilya Salmanzadeh (Ariana Grande, Charli XCX, Ellie Goudling, Sam Smith) merges with Sheeran’s relentless curiosity.
The result is a hedonistic, technicolor reminder to live for the moment; a rhythmic celebration of cross-cultural collaborations brought to life.
“Even though it’s completely different to anything that I’ve ever done before, it feels familiar to me. I wanted to create a party atmosphere and Ilya Salmanzadeh helped bring that to life. He was so inspiring to work with,” says Sheeran.
In the accompanying music video, Sheeran embarks on a journey across the world with a pink, heart-shaped balloon in tow. He takes in the sights of New York from an iconic yellow taxi, cruises through Los Angeles in a classic open-top car, and braves the elements in rural Massachusetts.
Along the way, he also leads a street party in New Orleans and makes stops in Boston and Nashville. And, of course, no trip would be complete without a visit to his beloved Ipswich Town FC.
An artist who has continuously pushed himself and his craft, Sheeran now steps boldly into a new era for 2025, and we can’t wait to see how it unfolds.
