Despite some moments of weak lyricism, the strong start and finish of “Play” holds it together and makes the album a success.

NEW YORK (AP) — Ed Sheeran has long sought to bring people together with his music, whether it be his emotionally resonant acoustic ballads or unproblematic, danceable pop hits. “Play,” his eighth ...

“When I was like 18, I had an idea for like 10 albums, Sheeran said in an interview with People. “It’s Plus, Multiply, Divide, Subtract, Equals, and then Play, Pause, Fast Forward, Rewind and Stop.” ...