= (album)

=
Studio album by
Ed Sheeran
Released29 October 2021 (2021-10-29)
RecordedJune 2017 – July 2021[1]
GenrePop[2]
Length48:23
Label
Producer
Ed Sheeran chronology
No.6 Collaborations Project
(2019) 		=
(2021) 		−
(2023)
Singles from =
  1. "Bad Habits"
    Released: 25 June 2021
  2. "Shivers"
    Released: 10 September 2021
  3. "Overpass Graffiti"
    Released: 29 October 2021
  4. "The Joker and the Queen"
    Released: 11 February 2022
  5. "2step"
    Released: 22 April 2022

= ("Equals") is the fifth studio album by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran.[3][4] It was released on 29 October 2021 through Asylum and Atlantic Records.[5] The album was supported by five singles: "Bad Habits", "Shivers", "Overpass Graffiti", "The Joker and the Queen", and "2step". The song "Visiting Hours" was released as a promotional single.

Upon release, = received generally mixed reviews from music critics, who appreciated Sheeran's emerging sonic experimentation while criticising its production. The album reached number one in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Scotland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The Christmas edition of the album was released on 3 December 2021, although it was removed later on. It contained a sole guest appearance from fellow English singer-songwriter Elton John on the song "Merry Christmas", while the standard edition does not have any guest appearances.

The tour edition of the album was released on 27 May 2022. It contains his two songs from the 2019 film Yesterday, "One Life" and "Penguins", and two new songs, "I Will Remember You" and "Welcome to the World". The reissue also contains the 2020 single "Afterglow", the single version of "The Joker and the Queen" featuring American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, the single version of "2step" featuring American rapper Lil Baby, a remix of "Bad Habits" featuring British rock band Bring Me the Horizon, and his collaboration with Nigerian singer Fireboy DML, "Peru". A second remix of "2step" is also included in the reissue in several countries.[6]

A French version of the album was released on 4 November 2022. This version contains "Peru", a remix of "2step" featuring Leto, "Bam Bam" by Camila Cabello featuring Sheeran, and a new single "Call on Me" by Vianney featuring Sheeran.[7] A limited edition includes a DVD of the FNAC Live 2021 concert.[8] The album sold 1.3 million copies worldwide in 2021, becoming the fifth best-selling album of that year.[9]

  1. ^ @teddysphotos (30 October 2021). "Me and Johnny started this album June 2017 in Los Angeles, and finished it July 2021". Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2022 – via Instagram.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference The Times was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (19 August 2021). "Ed Sheeran announces new album, =". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  4. ^ White, Jack (19 August 2021). "Ed Sheeran announces new album =". Official Charts. Archived from the original on 19 August 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  5. ^ Curto, Justin (19 August 2021). "Ed Sheeran to Complete the Equation With New Album =". Vulture. Archived from the original on 19 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  6. ^ = (Tour Edition) by Ed Sheeran, 29 October 2021, archived from the original on 27 May 2022, retrieved 28 May 2022
  7. ^ Pineau, Marine (5 November 2022). "Ed Sheeran dévoile l'édition française de Equals !". Virgin Radio (in French). Archived from the original on 15 November 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  8. ^ Muratore, Lisa (18 October 2022). "Ed Sheeran va sortir une réédition d'Equals avec deux titres français". L'Éclaireur Fnac (in French). Archived from the original on 15 November 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  9. ^ "IFPI Global Music Report 2022" (PDF). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 April 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2023.