Ed Sheeran has been working on new music and is finally ready to share it with the world. But the usually private singer has revealed recent unfortunate events and challenges that have affected his new music and himself as an artist.
"I had been working on Subtract for a decade, trying to sculpt the perfect acoustic album, writing and recording hundreds of songs with a clear vision of what I thought it should be," Sheeran wrote.
"Then at the start of 2022, a series of events changed my life, my mental health, and ultimately the way I viewed music and art,” he added.
He revealed to his fans that his wife, Cherry Seaborn, was diagnosed with a tumor while she was pregnant with their child Jupiter Seaborn Sheeran, who was born in July. But the tumor was not operable until after birth, so they had to wait out the pregnancy knowing she had a tumor.
"Within the space of a month, my pregnant wife got told she had a tumour, with no route to treatment until after the birth," Sheeran revealed. He also listed two other reasons why his mental health was strained in 2022.
"My best friend Jamal, a brother to me, died suddenly, and I found myself standing in court defending my integrity and career as a songwriter," he continued, referencing a copyright infringement case against him for the song “Shape of You,” which he ultimately won.
"I was spiraling through fear, depression and anxiety. I felt like I was drowning, head below the surface, looking up but not being able to break through for air,” the artist revealed.
Sheeran went on to explain that songwriting has become “therapy” for him, and that his new album will reflect his recent experiences.