Ed Sheeran’s = — the pop star’s first solo album in more than four years — has arrived, and you can listen now.
The companion album to Sheeran’s 2011 debut +, 2014’s x and 2017’s ÷ was heralded by lead single “Bad Habits,” which has so far peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was an 11-week No. 1 hit in his native U.K. “Habits” was replaced atop the U.K. Singles Chart by the = follow-up single “Shivers,” which is also a top 10 hit on the Hot 100, peaking at No. 9. Between ÷ and =, Sheeran released his No. 6 Collaborations Project in July 2019, which included team-ups with everyone from Justin Bieber to Cardi B.
Sheeran announced Sunday on his Instagram that he had tested positive for COVID-19, which impacted all his in-person promotion plans for the album. But in a post late Thursday, just before the album’s release, Sheeran assured fans he wasn’t letting his illness dampen his excitement.
“I’m obviously still in covid isolation but please let me know what you think when it’s out,” he wrote. “It’s the most proud [I’ve] ever been of a price of work and I can’t wait for you all to hear it. Gonna be having a solo party tonight and tomorrow to celebrate, blast it loud. Love you all x.”
Sheeran is scheduled to perform on the Nov. 6 episode of Saturday Night Live, though it’s unclear whether he’ll be able to travel in time given his diagnosis.
Listen to Sheeran’s full new album below:
