Ed Sheeran weaves Persian music into new song, Azizam

After delivering two introspective, low-profile albums, Ed Sheeran has re-entered the mainstream pop arena with a vibrant and culturally infused single, Azizam. Drawing heavily on Middle Eastern influences, the track signals a shift in tone and style while still retaining the familiar Sheeran charm that has defined his global success.

Azizam, which translates to “my dear” or “my darling” in Farsi, is Sheeran’s latest experiment in musical fusion. Produced in collaboration with Illya Salmanzadeh—a Swedish hitmaker of Iranian descent known for his work with Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift—the song is a tribute to Persian culture and instrumentation. Featuring traditional instruments such as the ghatam, a South Indian clay pot drum, and the santur, a hammered dulcimer from Iran, Azizam is steeped in rich musical textures from the East.

Speaking on BBC Radio 1, Sheeran shared how the project began organically. “Now that the song’s out, I’m discovering more and more every day how proud Persians are of their culture. It’s amazing to celebrate that,” he said. The idea for the song came from Salmanzadeh, who proposed incorporating elements from his heritage into their work. The result is a track that remains true to Sheeran’s pop roots while boldly embracing a new sonic identity.

Released during a competitive week in the music industry—with new offerings from Miley Cyrus, Elton John, and Wet Leg—Azizam manages to stand out. Though the song follows Sheeran’s reliable pop blueprint, the Persian influences add a distinctive flavor that may help the track resonate particularly well in the Middle East, currently one of the fastest-growing music markets globally.

This isn’t the first time Sheeran has explored global genres. Known for his versatility and adventurous collaborations, he has worked with Afrobeats artists like Burna Boy and Fireboy DML, sung in Spanish with J Balvin, and even incorporated Irish folk and Punjabi elements into his performances. Sheeran’s willingness to embrace different cultures has kept him relevant and musically fresh.

The singer described creating Azizam as a deeply enjoyable process. “I had a hell of a lot of fun with it,” he said. “The rhythms, melodies, and instruments were different but reminded me a bit of the Irish traditional music I grew up with.” This cross-cultural resonance speaks to Sheeran’s global mindset, blending musical traditions to craft universally appealing songs.

The debut of Azizam took place in New Orleans, where Sheeran surprised fans with a street performance in the city’s French Quarter. Accompanied by the Soul Rebels brass band, the upbeat performance set the tone for a song that is both playful and celebratory. The recorded version of the track features background vocals from the Citizens of the World Choir, a group comprised of refugees and supporters, adding a layer of global unity to the project.

Early reviews of the song have been generally favorable, though not without criticism. The Guardian gave it three stars, noting that the Persian elements felt somewhat incidental to what was otherwise a standard Sheeran pop track. However, pop critic Alexis Petridis acknowledged the song’s irresistibility, saying it has “a hook that fully digs into your brain the first time you hear it.”

The Telegraph’s Neil McCormick described Azizam as “lighter than candy floss and twice as sticky,” predicting it will become an inescapable pop anthem throughout the coming months. He even dubbed it a future “bubblegum classic.”

Audience reaction, especially from the Persian community, has been enthusiastic. One Iranian listener messaged BBC Radio 2 to express their appreciation: “There are so many Persian music influences in the song, which is amazing to hear.”

The single marks the beginning of a new era for Sheeran. It’s the first track from his upcoming eighth studio album, Play, part of a planned series titled Pause, Rewind, Fast-Forward, and Stop. He also teased the idea of a posthumous album, humorously titled Eject, containing songs he’s written throughout his life.

This new creative phase comes at a pivotal moment in Sheeran’s career. While the 2010s cemented his status as one of the world’s top-selling artists, his recent projects haven’t met past commercial standards. His 2023 album, Subtract, was critically acclaimed but didn’t achieve platinum status in the UK. The follow-up, Autumn Variations, opened at number one but quickly dropped out of the charts and remains uncertified.

Despite these setbacks, Sheeran’s presence in the digital music space is undeniable. On Spotify alone, a dozen of his tracks have surpassed a billion streams. Shape of You remains the second-most streamed song on the platform, amassing over 4.3 billion plays.

With Divide, Sheeran appears ready to reclaim his position at the top of pop music. By blending global influences with his signature sound, he’s not only celebrating diverse cultures but also reinventing himself once more.