Mumbai, Oct 17 (PTI) Pop sensation Ed Sheeran has launched "Play – The Remixes EP," a vibrant new project that showcases collaborations with some of India’s top talents, such as Karan Aujla, Arijit Singh, Jonita Gandhi, Hanumankind, Dhee, and composer Santhosh Narayanan. The four-track EP reimagines hits from Sheeran's chart-dominating ninth album "Play," which climbed to the No. 1 spot in the UK and several other countries earlier this year.
Fronting the EP is “Symmetry,” a dynamic Punjabi-English fusion featuring vocalist and rapper Karan Aujla. Its official video, directed by Liam Pethick, highlights spirited performances by Sheeran, Aujla, and the international dance crew The Quick Style. This project, Sheeran shared, was inspired by his month-long stay in India, where he delved into the country’s rich musical landscape and collaborated with numerous local artists.
"Creating and finalizing 'Play' in India was such an exhilarating experience. Over the last decade, through touring, I’ve interacted with many local musicians and been introduced to diverse music and cultures. The collaboration process was incredibly enjoyable, and I aimed to represent as much of it as I could in this EP. Here’s a brief rundown of each track," Sheeran revealed in a statement.
The EP’s standout track “Symmetry” represents Sheeran and Aujla’s first collaboration.
“Karan epitomizes culture, and I admire the movement he’s driving with Ikky right now. In the studio, he taught me the Punjabi segments for this song. It feels like the start of our collaborative journey,” said Sheeran.
The EP also features “Don’t Look Down,” a Tamil-English fusion track that includes rapper Hanumankind, singer Dhee, and composer Santhosh Narayanan.
“I adore Hanumankind and managed to meet him at Coachella before watching his show. The energy and vibe were captivating. We’ve been discussing collaborative ideas since, and this opportunity arose. Santhosh, a phenomenal film composer, introduced me to Dhee, who possesses incredible talent and a remarkable voice. I wanted to highlight South India in this EP and the beautiful Tamil language, and they executed the fusion magnificently,” shared Sheeran.
Sheeran’s track with Arijit Singh, “Sapphire,” was crafted in Singh’s hometown of Jiaganj, West Bengal. This song has already amassed over half a billion streams worldwide.
"Everyone's familiar with this story, but journeying to Jiaganj Azimganj with my father to create this piece with Arijit is one of my cherished memories in my musical career," Sheeran recounted.
The concluding track, “Heaven,” features Indian-Canadian artist Jonita Gandhi.
“This marks my first Hindi song release, and it’s an honor to do it alongside her — she’s immensely talented,” expressed Sheeran.
The EP is now accessible on all significant streaming platforms.
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