Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh in a behind-the-scenes look whereas taking pictures the ‘Sapphire’ video. Picture: Warner Music India
When Ed Sheeran returned to India earlier this yr for his six-city tour, his biggest one yet in the country, he snuck in snippets of unreleased music earlier than hitting the stage.
A type of has been revealed to be his third single, “Sapphire” from the British pop artist’s new album Play. Whereas the full-length album doesn’t launch until September, Sheeran has dropped the India-inspired single at the moment—full with a Punjabi hook, sitar, Indian percussive parts and vocals by hitmaker Arijit Singh. A Punjabi model of the music can also be anticipated to be out within the subsequent few weeks.
The music video takes you on a first-person joyride via Sheeran’s travels throughout India—hanging out with Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, kicking round with a soccer group in Shillong, café-hopping in Mumbai, jamming periods in Goa, visiting a music college in Chennai, swinging a cricket bat in Rajasthan, and even popping into an area bus and rickshaw.
The music additionally options manufacturing from songwriters akin to Ilya Salmanzadeh, Johnny McDaid and Savan Kotecha (whom Sheeran appeared alongside within the Greatest Indian Boy Band launch video).
Sheeran says in an announcement that “Sapphire” was the primary music he completed for Play, which helped him determine the place the album was heading. “It’s why I completed the recording course of in Goa surrounded by among the greatest musicians in India. It was an unbelievable inventive course of. I shot the music video with Liam [Pethick, director] and Nic [Minns, DOP] throughout my India tour earlier this yr, we needed to showcase the sweetness and breadth of the nation and its tradition,” he says.
Singh, usually identified for his reticence as a public determine and musician who solely steps into the limelight on his personal phrases, was a shock addition to “Sapphire,” regardless that he and Sheeran have been usually in contact. Sheeran says, “The ultimate jigsaw piece for me was getting Arijit on the document. It was a journey to get there and such an incredible day of music and household. Me and him have finished a full Punjabi model of the music that can come out within the subsequent few weeks, which has much more of him on it. That is the album model of the music, and my favorite music on the album. Hope you guys find it irresistible.”
Alongside album promotions, Sheeran has additionally introduced three reside reveals beginning July 11 at Portman Highway, Ipswich, that are bought out. These are set to happen at Ipswich City FC’s house floor, with Sheeran being a lifelong supporter of the membership, and the official shirt sponsor since 2021 [he also sports the club’s jersey in the “Sapphire” video].