= (Equals)

'=’ is the fourth installment in Sheeran’s symbol album series. A body of songs that were made over a four-year period following his seminal ‘÷’ (Divide) album era, thematically, ‘=’ finds Ed taking stock of his life and the people in it. He explores the varying degrees of love with tracks like ‘The Joker And The Queen’, ‘First Times’, and ‘2step’, while also delving into themes of loss with ‘Visiting Hours’, resilience with ‘Can’t Stop The Rain’, and fatherhood with ‘Sandman’ and ‘Leave Your Life’. Additionally, the album touches on his reality and career with the track ‘Tides’. Sonically, ‘=’ showcases Ed’s versatile musical palette, ranging from signature guitar-led tracks to world-class balladry and weightier, euphoric production moments, as exemplified by the lead single ‘Bad Habits'.