Ed Sheeran's blog

Elektra recording artist Ed Sheeran has announced an array of activity surrounding the eagerly awaited U.S. release of his acclaimed debut album, “+.” A record-breaking sensation in the British singer/songwriter’s native U.K., “+” arrives on these shores on June 12th.

Pre-orders for “+” are available on the iTunes Store starting today (http://atlr.ec/Jdl5wg). The album is being offered in both a Standard Version and Digital Deluxe Version, which appends four additional bonus tracks (see attached tracklisting).

Meanwhile, “+” pre-orders are available now via Sheeran’s own official web store. A variety of bundles are on offer, featuring such exclusive extras as a blue “Crest” t-shirt and a “Logo” pullover hoodie. All packages include a copy of “+” (in CD, digital, or orange vinyl), a full album stream (expiring on street date), and an instant MP3 download of the recently released digital EP, “THE A TEAM.” For complete details and ordering information, please visit Sheeran’s official webpage at http://www.edsheeran.com.

Sheeran – who has been named as VH1’s “You Oughta Know” artist on the rise for the month of May – has slated a number of high profile TV performances for the coming weeks. The British troubadour will perform his blockbuster single, “The A Team,” on the Tuesday, May 8th installment of TBS’ Conan, followed on June 12th with a release-day visit to NBC’s TODAY (check local listings). The upcoming appearances follow Sheeran’s recent live performances on NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Last Call with Carson Daly, and mtvU’s 2012 Woodie Awards extravaganza.

Currently winning over fans on his first-ever North American tour (alongside Snow Patrol), Sheeran will celebrate the release of “+” with a pair of major headline shows in New York City, both of which sold out within 10 minutes of going on sale. Ed will perform at Bowery Ballroom on June 11th (a 16 years old-and-over show), and Music Hall of Williamsburg on June 12th. A new series of North American tour dates will be announced soon – please see www.edsheeran.com for details.

The current tour schedule comes on the heels of Sheeran’s triumphant string of performances at this year’s South by Southwest® Music & Media Conference (SXSW®) in Austin, Texas. Entertainment Weekly praised his “knack for manipulating samplers and voice loops, various strums, a handful of rhythmic pounds on his guitar’s body, and even the audience,” while Billboard hailed his energetic set at Nikon Inc. and Warner Music Group’s “The Warner Sound Captured by Nikon” residency as “a veritable party in a single package.”

Masterfully blending soulful vocals with organic folk introspection and irresistible hip-hop hooks, Sheeran is a genuine phenomenon. Inspired by such diverse artists as James Morrison, Damien Rice, and Jay-Z, the gifted tunesmith first made waves with his unique style and affecting songs. A prolific writer and performer, Sheeran played constantly – including over 300 gigs in 2009 alone – while also recording and self-releasing five independent EPs. He also became a YouTube favorite, with the loop-driven “You Need Me, I Don’t Need You,” drawing over 5 million views and counting.

His major label debut single, “The A Team,” arrived in June 2011 and instantly proved an unqualified sensation, entering among the top 3 on the U.K. Singles Chart. The track spent 11 consecutive weeks in the U.K. Top 10, making history as 2011’s highest charting, biggest selling debut single.
Sheeran’s full-length debut, “+,” soon followed, featuring a host of truly special songs, from the heart-wrenching “Small Bump” to the hushed “Give Me Love.” The album exploded onto the U.K. Albums Chart at #1 with the highest opening sales figures for a debut artist ever and is now certified 3x platinum.

In addition to their popular success, Sheeran and “+” received extensive acclaim, including the prestigious “Breakthrough Artist” trophy at the Q Awards 2011. Even greater accolades came in early 2012 as Sheeran emerged victorious with a pair of top 2011 Brit Awards – including “Best Male Artist” and “Best Breakthrough Artist” – after having led the field with a remarkable four total nods. Furthermore, “The A Team” received the high honor of a 2012 Ivor Novello Award nomination in the “Best Song Musically and Lyrically” category.

Released in December 2011, Sheeran’s U.S. debut EP, “THE A TEAM,” features four extraordinary tracks previously unavailable here in the former Colonies, including, of course, “The A Team.” A special iTunes version of the EP – available exclusively on the iTunes Store – is augmented by an additional track, “Grade 8 (Live At The iTunes Festival London).”

As energetic and engaging on stage as he is on record, Sheeran spent much of last year doing what he does best – playing sold out shows all over the U.K., including acclaimed festival appearances at such annual extravaganzas as Glastonbury, Lovebox, Bestial, Latitude, and Reading & Leeds Festivals. Sheeran is currently slated to join such rock royalty as Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, Sir Tom Jones, and Jay-Z in celebrating the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign at The Royal Diamond Jubilee Concert, set for June 4th outside Buckingham Palace. A further series of U.K. and European festivals are scheduled for the summer, as is a fully sold out tour of Australia and New Zealand. Sheeran’s biggest U.K. tour thus far will follow in the fall, featuring sold out multiple night stands in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Doncaster, Newcastle, and Glasgow.

As if all that weren’t enough, Sheeran kickstarted 2012 with “THE SLUMDON BRIDGE EP,” a four-song collaboration with Shady Records/Get-O-Vision Entertainment/ Interscope Records recording artist Yelawolf. Initially released as a free Valentine’s Day download, the acclaimed EP is available now via all digital retailers. “It’s a unique project from start to finish,” declared AllHipHop.com of the EP. “Yelawolf and Ed Sheeran are…the most unlikeliest of teams, but it works. Here’s hoping that we see more of them together in the future.”

“Any true music lover would thoroughly enjoy the supernatural chemistry that oozes from this opus,” noted PlanetIll.com, adding that “if you never heard of Ed Sheeran, you’ll definitely become a fan after listening to this joint…It’s only a matter of time till he catches the ear of a hip-hop heavyweight.”

For up-to-the-minute news and information, please see www.edsheeran.com and www.elektrarecords.com.

ED SHEERAN
“+”
(Elektra Records)
Pre-Orders Available May 8th on The iTunes Store
Official Release Date: June 12th

Standard Version:
1. The A Team
2. Drunk
3. U.N.I.
4. Grade 8
5. Wake Me Up
6. Small Bump
7. This
8. The City
9. Lego House
10. You Need Me, I Don't Need You
11. Kiss Me
12. Give Me Love

Digital Deluxe Version:
1. The A Team
2. Drunk
3. U.N.I.
4. Grade 8
5. Wake Me Up
6. Small Bump
7. This
8. The City
9. Lego House
10. You Need Me, I Don't Need You
11. Kiss Me
12. Give Me Love
13. Autumn Leaves
14. Little Bird
15. Gold Rush
16. Sunburn