Ed Sheeran‘s love for India sparkles on his new song “Sapphire,” which dropped alongside an adventurous music video Thursday (June 5).
On the effervescent dance track, the British pop star mixes percussion elements of traditional Indian music with his signature absurdly catchy melodies, singing about never wanting to stop dancing with a lover whose aura shimmers just like the blue diamond for which the song is named.
“We are surrounded but I can only see/ The lights, your face, your eyes/ Exploding like fireworks in the sky,” Sheeran sings on the song.
Adding flair to the recording are vocals and sitar provided by Indian artist Arijit Singh, who also appears with the four-time Grammy winner in the “Sapphire” music video. Filmed across various locations in India during Sheeran’s tour through the country earlier this year, the visual keeps the English musician in the center of the frame as he walks through bustling streets, explores beaches, visits tourist spots, hangs out with locals and sings with a team of youth soccer players.
His companion in those sites is often Singh, with whom Sheeran sings in Punjabi, “ਚਮ-ਚਮ ਚਮਕੇ ਸਿਤਾਰੇ ਵਰਗੀ” — which translates to “They sparkle just like stars,” according to YouTube’s captions.
“‘Sapphire’ was the first song I finished for Play that made me know where the album was heading,” wrote the “A Team” singer in a statement, referring to his September-slated LP. “It’s why I finished the recording process in Goa surrounded by some of the best musicians in India.”
“The final jigsaw piece for me was getting Arijit on the record,” he continued. “Me and him have done a full Punjabi version of the song that will come out in the next few weeks, which has a lot more of him on it. This is the album version of the song, and my favorite song on the album. Hope you guys love it.”
“Sapphire” follows previous Play singles “Azizam” and “Old Phone,” the latter of which dropped at the beginning of May. Arriving Sept. 12, the new album will serve as the first in Sheeran’s next series of LPs, marking a departure from his yearslong mathematics-themed saga.
“Play was an album that was made as a direct response to the darkest period of my life,” he recently wrote on Instagram. “Coming out of all of that I just wanted to create joy and technicolor, and explore cultures in the countries I was touring. It’s a real rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish, it encapsulates everything that I love about music, and the fun in it, but also where I am in life as a human, a partner, a father.”
Watch the “Sapphire” music video above.
