Last month, multi-platinum-selling artist Ed Sheeran revealed his upcoming album, Autumn Variations, will be released later this year. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter also shared his inspiration behind the album, which delves into the myriad of life changes experienced by him and his friends.
Ed Sheeran explained, “Last autumn, I found that my friends and I were going through so many life changes. After the heat of the summer, everything either calmed, settled, fell apart, came to a head, or imploded.”
The artist drew from personal experiences as well as those of his friends to craft the songs on the album. He spoke about how songwriting helped him navigate difficult times in his life and understand his emotions.
“When I went through a difficult time at the start of last year, writing songs helped me understand my feelings and come to terms with what was going on,” Sheeran shared. “And when I learned about my friend’s different situations, I wrote songs, some from their perspectives, some from mine, to capture how they and I viewed the world at that time. There were highs of falling in love and new friendships among lows of heartbreak, depression, loneliness, and confusion.”
The inspiration for Autumn Variations came from an unexpected source. Sheeran’s father and brother introduced him to the works of composer Edward Elgar, particularly his Enigma Variations, where each composition was dedicated to a different friend of Elgar’s. This concept resonated with Sheeran, leading to the creation of his album.
Collaborating with Aaron Dessner, known for his work with The National, Sheeran found a creative spark. “When I recorded Subtract with Aaron Dessner, we clicked immediately. We wrote and recorded non-stop, and this album was born out of that partnership. I feel he has captured the feeling of autumn so wonderfully in his sonics, and I hope everyone loves it as much as I do.”
meanwhile, Ed Sheeran will perform two sold-out shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall on November 18 and 19. During these concerts, Sheeran will perform his forthcoming album, Autumn Variations, in its entirety, accompanied by a live band and string section. These concerts will be the only remaining opportunity for fans in the UK to see him perform this year, making them highly anticipated events on the music calendar.