Ed Sheeran has released this Friday the song “Eyes Closed“, first preview of what will be his next studio album, “- (Substract)”, which, as recently announced It will be released on May 5.
Initially conceived years ago for a love break, his record company has revealed that this song changed its meaning when the British suffered “a heartbreaking loss” that made him reimagine it.
Now available in digital audio platformshis departure coincides with that of a video clip directed by Mia Barnes in which Sheeran is chased in the middle of the night by a blue monster, a metaphor for pain and emptiness after loss.
“It’s about losing someone, feeling like every time you go out you expect to meet these people, everything reminds you of them and the things we did together. Sometimes you have to get out of reality to numb the pain of loss, but certain things simply bring you back to it”, explained the artist himself in statements collected by Warner Music.
Featuring The National member Aaron Dessner in production, “- (Substract)” will be published two days after the premiere in Disney+ from a documentary series which will help to contextualize the creative process of this record based on Sheeran’s personal experiences.