Ed Sheeran announces release date for new album

Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran performing at the US music festival Coachella this year

- (Subtract), + (Plus), x (Multiply), ÷ (Divide), and = (Equals)

Mathematical symbols, but also the names of Ed Sheeran's chart-topping albums.

And now, the singer says he'll be back with another.

But this time he is leaving behind maths equations.

He says his new album released in September will be called Play.

It will be the first in a new series of records from Ed Sheeran, he says.

In an interview with US late night host Jimmy Fallon, the singer-songwriter said he has an idea to follow up Play with four more albums along the same title theme.

"When I was like 18, I had an idea for like 10 albums. It's Plus, Multiply, Divide, Subtract, Equals, and then Play, Pause, Fast Forward, Rewind and Stop," he said.

The singer says he wanted to explore cultures in the countries he was touring through the album

His previous albums have featured some of his biggest hits to-date, including Bad Habits and Shivers.

Ed says the new record will see him delve into "new musical ground".

Play is inspired by Indian and Persian musical cultures, as well as the Irish folk tradition he grew up with.

The singer said "I just wanted to create joy and technicolour, and explore cultures in the countries I was touring."

Play was recorded all the different locations the singer-songwriter visited and completed in Goa, India.

Will you be listening when it comes out? Let us know in the comments.