A long-overdue successor to debut album Plus, Subtract is a return to the singer-songwriter’s roots in more ways than one. “I had an interesting beginning of last year where I had a few challenges in my personal life and my family life, and I wrote over the course a week. Everything that happens, I tend to write a song about it.”
Written about the darkest nights of Sheeran‘s life,“Salt Water” deals with battling suicidal thoughts. “We all have ups and downs, some more than others. There’s highs and lows, and this was a particularly low moment of wondering what if?”
“Boat” reflects Sheeran's struggles and perseverance in the face of a turbulent time of his life, and coming out the other side. “I was spiralling through fear, depression and anxiety. I felt like I was drowning, head below the surface, looking up not but being able to break through for air.”
“I’m learning as I grow older that life is in chapters. It’s good to move on in life, and always look forward rather than looking back. “Spark” is about that, you know, chucking everything in a fire and knowing that the original spark which set that fire alight will survive.”
About “Vega”, Sheeran comments, “Vega is a ball of burning gas – it’s a star. I feel that people look at me as a star, but I wouldn't want to be a massive ball of burning gas.” The song is about buckling under the pressure, keeping things in, and subsequently burning out.