Taking to Instagram with the cryptic message “Autumn is coming”, Sheeran later pulled a cheeky move, sharing a spoof infomercial about “damper hampers” tied to the forthcoming season. But that’s not all – dialling the number he shared (+1 917 909 4498) will treat fans to a voicemail from “Gingerbread Man Records,” hinting at August 24 as a possible drop date for the new tracks.
Chatting with Andy Cohen on SiriusXM, the ‘Shape of You’ hitmaker shared, “It’s an album about autumn. I kind of have no expectations for it. I made it whilst — there was the album I was trying to make, and then ‘–’ (‘Subtract’) happened. So I finished over the last year.”Autumn is coming, order your mulch and baked beans on +1 917 909 4498 pic.twitter.com/CwvD5GH5zh
— Ed Sheeran HQ (@edsheeran) August 16, 2023
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On the topic of the iconic Super Bowl Halftime show, Sheeran made it clear we should not expect him to headline solo. Reflecting on past iconic performances from legends like Prince, Beyoncé, and The Weeknd, Sheeran said: “Like, all of these amazing performers — I’m just not that. I’m not gonna have dancers on stage. I’m not gonna have fireworks and blah blah. I just can’t, that’s not me,” adding, “I don’t think that anyone wants to see me do the Super Bowl either.”
READ MORE: ★★★☆☆ Subtract review | Ed Sheeran channels suffering to rise just above the anodyne
Yet, when probed about a guest appearance, like when Coldplay took the stage, Sheeran left a door slightly ajar: “There was a conversation awhile ago, I think it was when Coldplay did it – of me going on to play ‘Thinking Out Loud’ and I think that would be the only way I would do it is if I were joining someone else.” Looks like the ball’s in your court, Super Bowl organisers: announce Ed Sheeran!