The new album “Subtract,” which Ed Sheeran says is like “opening the trapdoor into my soul,” will be released on May 5.

Ed Sheeran is opening the trapdoor into his soul with his latest album ‘Subtract’.

The British singer-songwriter announced the arrival of his fifth studio album on social media, confirming that it would be released on May 5. This album delves into his inner journey through “fear, sadness, and anxiety,” in contrast to his prior albums that were written to “delight” his followers.

Composing music is my therapy, he stated while discussing his challenges over the previous two years coping with his wife’s health concern, a beloved friend’s loss, and being involved in a copyright issue.

Sheeran posted a picture of himself writing in his diary and included a lengthy caption that said, “I spent ten years crafting the perfect acoustic album for Subtract, composing and recording hundreds of songs with a precise idea of what I wanted it to sound like. Then, in the beginning of 2022, a sequence of things happened that altered my life, my mental health, and eventually how I perceived art and music.”

“I use songwriting as therapy. It enables me to understand my emotions. I just penned whatever came to me without considering what the music would be. I also replaced ten years’ worth of work with my darkest, most introspective ideas in less than a week “Added he.

He stated, “Speaking up about the dark time in my life “Within a month, my pregnant wife learned she had a tumour and wouldn’t be able to begin treatment until after the baby was born. With the tragic death of my best friend Jamal, who I considered to be a brother, I found myself in court defending my honesty and my musical career. I was in a fear, sadness, and anxiety spiral. As my head was below the water’s surface and I tried to glance up for air but couldn’t get through, it seemed like I was drowning.”

“As an artist, I didn’t think it was possible for me to publish a collection of work that didn’t fairly reflect who I am and how I need to express myself at this particular stage of my life. He said, “This record is solely that, and it’s unlocking the trapdoor into my soul. I’m only releasing something that is authentic and genuine to where I am in my adult life; for the first time, I’m not attempting to make an album that people will appreciate.”

The album, which follows his most recent release, ‘F64,’ which was released on January 19 and was dedicated to his friend and the creator of SBTV Jamal Edwards, who passed away last year at the age of 31, was produced and composed by Aaron Dessner of the National.

The Grammy-winning artist’s previous studio album ‘=’ dropped on October 29, 2021, featuring hits ‘Shivers’, ‘Bad Habits’, ‘Visiting Hours’ and ‘2Step’.

His Camila Cabello collaboration ‘Bam Bam’, which was released on March 4, 2022, was nominated for the pop duo at the 2023 Grammys.