Ed Sheeran hints at releasing more music following STOP

Ed Sheeran has opened up about his creative future and personal evolution, revealing that while STOP is intended to complete his ongoing album series, he isn’t ready to call it his final record just yet. The 34-year-old singer-songwriter, who recently dropped his eighth studio album PLAY, explained that the project marks the beginning of a trilogy designed to culminate with STOP. However, despite its symbolic meaning, Sheeran admitted that he still feels inspired to keep creating music beyond it.

“I don’t know if STOP is the retirement record because I still want to make records,” Sheeran told the Daily Star’s Wired column. “I feel like I have ten big statement campaign records to do. If there’s a coloured cover, that’s the statement record. And if it’s black and white, that’s just something I made for the love of it.” His comments suggest that while STOP might represent the end of a creative chapter, it won’t necessarily mark the end of his journey as a musician.

In the same interview, Sheeran also shared strong views on live performance authenticity, criticizing the growing use of teleprompters by major artists — including legendary acts such as Oasis and Sir Rod Stewart. “Once you start having one of them, it’s a slippery slope,” he explained. “You lose a bit of your connection with the music and the audience. I’ve seen artists forget their own biggest songs because they rely on the screen. I never want to be that performer.”

Reflecting on his personal growth, the Shape of You hitmaker admitted that the first decade of his career, though hugely successful, left him feeling “intensely unhappy.” He confessed that his relentless work ethic and obsession with achievement came at the expense of his well-being. “Everything was hyper-successful, but I had no personal life at all. I was just work, work, work,” he told The Sun. “Now, it’s 70 percent family and 30 percent work. I’ve finally found balance — being able to exist as a human being, not just a pop star machine.”

Today, Sheeran’s priorities have shifted dramatically. As a husband to Cherry Seaborn and father to daughters Lyra and Jupiter, he now finds fulfillment in balancing music with family life. “I’m really happy and settled,” he said. “I love being a dad and a husband, and I feel like I’m finally doing both well. The stage I’m at in my career is about creating music I’m proud of, performing shows that mean something — but also being present for the people I love most.”

Sheeran’s recent comments paint the picture of an artist who has evolved beyond chasing fame and accolades. While STOP may symbolically close a creative era, it seems far more likely that Ed Sheeran’s story — both as a musician and as a man learning balance — is only entering a new, more meaningful chapter.