Ed Sheeran launched his new album = ('Equals'), just over a week ago and it is certainly taking the UK by storm.
The popular musician has now revealed the real meaning behind the album's name.
Talking to Zane Lowe for Apple Music, Sheeran explained: “I saw the symbol ‘equals’ as it symbolises life, not just new life, it symbolises life and whether that’s end of life or start of life."
It was a decade ago that he first began a mathematical quest in naming his albums referencing math symbols.
His first album was + ('Plus') and his 2014 follow-up was x ('Multiply'), the beginning stages of his mathematical referencing.
In 2015, Ed told Entertainment Weekly that ‘Multiply’ was named- so because it made all that was a part of ‘plus’, bigger, "from the venues to the songs to the radio plays to the sales".
At the time, he also said that he hadn’t yet decided on the theme of the next album.
This ended up being 2017's hugely popular ÷ ('Divide'), which, contrary to its reductive title, became a massive hit.
It graced the No.1 spot in the United States and all across Europe, produced chart-topping singles, and eventually led to the highest-grossing tour of all time.
It also cemented Ed as a prevalent household name.
He did follow a slight diversion from the mathematical theme with 2019’s 'No.6 Collaborations Project' but has now followed suit returning to the to the theme with the release of = (‘Equals’).
Previously speaking to John Kennedy for a VIBE cover story, Ed discussed the significance of his album names in greater detail.
He said: “I think you have to have the concept in your head", explaining that his first album, 2011’s + ('Plus'), added new records to classics from his extensive catalogue of both EPs and indie releases, and 2014’s x ('Multiply') sought to build substantially on the groundwork of its successful predecessor.
Fans are now speculating that his next album may be called - ('Subtract') of course.
Ahead of the 2021 VMAs, while talking to Dometi Pongo from MTV News on the red carpet, Ed revealed: “There’s one more album after ‘Equals’.
“And then the mathematics are done.”
Whilst this is not a direct confirmation, the next album having this name would make perfect sense and would enthral all math nerds out there with a final mathematical reference.
