Ed Sheeran has opened his heart in his post.
The Shape of You singer, 32, took to his Instagram on Wednesday, March 1, and shared his last diary entry from last month that explained his struggles with mental health and depression due to a series of traumatizing events that happened last year.
He started off his post by mentioning his new studio album, Subtract, that’s coming out in May this year, and said he has been working on this album for a decade.
“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,” he 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.”
Sheeran explained that writing songs is his therapy, and it helps him make sense of his feelings.
“I wrote without thought of what the songs would be, I just wrote whatever tumbled out. And in just over a week I replaced a decade’s worth of work with my deepest darkest thoughts.”
In February 2022, Sheeran’s best friend, Jamal, a music producer and son of Brenda Edwards, tragically passed away from cardiac arrest.
He also noted that his wife Cherry’s tumor diagnosis severely disturbed him when the doctors told him there was no treatment possible until after the birth of their baby.
“Within the space of a month, my pregnant wife got told she had a tumor, with no route to treatment until after the birth. 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. 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.”
He continued, “As an artist, I didn’t feel like I could credibly put a body of work into the world that didn’t accurately represent where I am and how I need to express myself at this point in my life. This album is purely that. It’s opening the trapdoor into my soul.”
“For the first time, I’m not trying to craft an album people will like, I’m merely putting something out that’s honest and true to where I am in my adult life.”
Last year in May, the Photograph singer became a father for the second time after welcoming his second daughter, Jupiter. Ed and Cherry are already parents to their two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Lyra, who was born in August 2020.
“Subtract is the final in his decade-long mathematical series – which follows 2021’s Equals, 2017’s Divide, 2014’s Multiply, and 2011’s Plus,” Daily Mail wrote.
Fans in the comment section expressed their love and support for Ed and his family and said they cannot wait for the release of his new masterpiece.
“This will be a masterpiece, can’t wait to hear it. Thank you for bearing your heart and soul through music and sharing with us!” one wrote.
“Ed, your music and the words are the story, the memory but the healing of my life currently. To know the struggles are real even for you and that music is your outlet has touched so many people because you’re real. Your family are so lucky to have you and I know your trip to Australia has left a print of you here. It was truly one of the greatest most amazing performance of art, soul and emotion I’ve ever seen. Thank you Ed keep inspirin,” a second commented.
“Hope Cherry is okay, and you are both on the road to recovery. We love you Ed xx,” a third added.
“Wow. Thank you for being so raw and genuine, Ed, and for doing what you needed to do for you – write what came from your soul, even the dark parts. We are excited to support you as always x,” said another.
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Source: Instagram
