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Ed Sheeran's new album 'Play' was written as a "direct response" to the "darkest period" of his life.
The pop star is returning to the charts later this year with the new record - set for release in September - and he's now revealed 'Play' features a "real rollercoaster of emotions" as it was written during a tough time and he just wanted to use music to create "joy".
In a post on Instagram, Ed explained: "'Play' was an album that was made as a direct response to the darkest period of my life. Coming out of all of that I just wanted to create joy and technicolour, and explore cultures in the countries I was touring.
"I made this record all over the world, finished it in Goa, India, and had some of the most fun, explorative creative days of my life. 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."
He added: "Going into this album campaign I said to myself ‘I just want everything I do to be fun and playful’ - so that’s why we are building pubs for folk jams, doing gigs on open top busses and singing in pink cowboy hats on bars.
"The older I get the more I just want to enjoy things, and savour the moments that are mad and chaotic. You can preorder play now, many many more playful things to come before it’s out. [New single] 'Old Phone' also out today, go listen."
Ed previously admitted he suffered dark times after his pal Jamal Edwards died in 2022 while the singer's wife Cherry was diagnosed with a tumour while pregnant with their second child, and he also missed his grandmother's funeral due to a court hearing over one of the lawsuits he was subjected to after being accused of plagiarism.
He told TIME magazine: “One thing I've learned about depression is you don’t take a magic pill and it's suddenly gone.
"But you can have periods of your life where you're better, and periods of your life where you're not. It gets less and less painful year on year, but always allow yourself to feel grief. Don't put it in a box and lock it away."
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Phillies' Rob Thomson announces Alec Bohm news
The Philadelphia Phillies offense has been a force throughout the 2025 season, averaging 4.6 runs per game — ranking ninth in MLB. However, the lineup hasn’t been at full strength recently, as third baseman Alec Bohm has missed most of the second half. The 29-year-old was selected third overall by Philadelphia in the 2018 MLB Draft and made his big-league debut in 2020, breaking out with a second-place finish in NL Rookie of the Year voting. While he hasn’t consistently replicated that early success, Bohm remains a productive bat and earned his first All-Star selection last season. Phillies announce update on injured third baseman Alec Bohm In 2025, Bohm is batting .278 with a .715 OPS, eight home runs and 42 RBI over 353 at-bats. He is on the 10-day injured list due to a fractured left rib, suffered after being hit by a pitch during a game against the San Diego Padres on July 12. Although he initially played through the discomfort, imaging later revealed the fracture, prompting his placement on the IL. Manager Rob Thomson provided a positive update, saying that Sunday was the best Bohm has felt since the injury and that he hit off the machine on Monday. Edmundo Sosa, Otto Kemp filling in at third as Bohm recovers In Bohm’s absence, teammate Edmundo Sosa has regularly started at third base. Sosa has appeared in 60 games this season, batting .261 with a .706 OPS and four home runs. Otto Kemp has also filled in at the hot corner, and in 13 games during the second half, he’s added pop to the lineup with three home runs and a .773 OPS. Still, the Phillies will be eager to get Bohm back in the lineup, as he’s been the most consistent producer among their third base options. His return will be key as Philadelphia battles in a tightly contested NL East race.
Kevin Harvick reacts to horrifying Stewart Friesen crash, points to NASCAR regulations
One of the scariest wrecks in racing this year occurred a little more than a week ago, when Stewart Friesen was involved in a horrific crash. Friesen suffered a broken pelvis and a fractured right leg. It was the kind of crash that gets everyone in the sport’s attention. It could have been much, much worse. “This is just an absolutely horrifying wreck right here,” Kevin Harvick said on the Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast. “You see him just hit the end of that wall and then hit by cars and fires. Just glad that he’s not in worse condition than he is. It was a tough couple weeks for dirt racing with everything that happened at Eldora with the sprint cars. And then you have Friesen’s wreck right here. So glad everybody’s still here.” Stewart Friesen is now recovering. His wife has posted multiple updates, and he’s since been transferred to a hospital in New York. He’ll have to undergo multiple surgeries. In the meantime, folks like Harvick are using the wreck as a reminder of the importance of the work NASCAR does in ensuring driver safety. Harvick spotlighted it on his podcast. “These series don’t have the investigations and things, and that’s one thing NASCAR does a really good job at, is making sure they understand each wreck,” Harvick said. “Making sure that they look at all the equipment. They hold the people accountable to wear their equipment right, to get their headrests right. That doesn’t happen in the short track world. Some of the stuff you see is pretty scary.” Stewart Friesen’s wreck may well be the warning call to some of the smaller series to take safety a little more seriously. No one wants to have blood on their hands. But it goes beyond just the racing organizations themselves policing things. Team owners and crew chiefs also need to keep their guys on point. “And that’s one thing I stress to all of our young guys and just people in general that just get a little lax about it from the safety side,” Harvick said. “You’re not preparing for every time you get in. You’re preparing for that moment like we just saw with Stewart Friesen. “So it’s super important that all that stuff is right and you evolve with the safety aspect of it. That’s the difference between weekly racing and Cup, Xfinity, Truck racing … that NASCAR holds you accountable. Not so much the case on stuff like this.”
Yankees quickly pull plug on key trade-deadline acquisition
After a disastrous start to his time in the Bronx, the New York Yankees have seen enough of reliever Jake Bird. Acquired in a trade-deadline deal with the Colorado Rockies, Bird was sent to Triple-A after giving up a game-winning three-run home run against the Texas Rangers on Monday night. The long ball continued what has been a head-shaking start for the 29-year-old right-hander with the Yankees, as he has given up seven runs (six earned) and four hits in just 2.0 innings worked over three games. His recent outings extend what has been a downward spiral for Bird. While with the Rockies, Bird allowed runs in 10 of his last 17 games before being traded, equaling a 13.20 ERA during that stretch. Before that, Bird was one of the most dominant relievers in baseball, posting a 1.41 ERA through his first 28 outings of the season. Bird's collapse in the Bronx goes along with the overall struggles of the Yankees bullpen. Devin Williams, another trade that was supposed to be an answer in the late innings for New York, served up the game-tying homer on Monday night in Texas. Over his last seven appearances, he has a 7.71 ERA, and a potential change at closer could be in the air after manager Aaron Boone's comments after Monday's loss. The Yankees made deals at the deadline to boost the bullpen, bringing in Bird from Colorado, David Bednar from Pittsburgh and Camilo Doval from San Francisco. However, those moves have mostly hurt the Yankees, who also saw leads evaporate in a three-game road sweep at the hands of the Miami Marlins. While it's still too early to say the Rockies won the trade by acquiring two prospects for Bird, the early results for the Yankees certainly point in that direction. If Bird isn't able to regain the confidence that was such a big part of his demeanor while in Colorado, the trade will be a decision that New York could regret for the rest of the season and beyond.
Green Bay Packers: Strong Reactions Erupt After Unofficial Depth Chart Release
The Green Bay Packers have finally updated their 2025 depth chart, and there’s a lot to unpack about it. There are unsurprising details like Jordan Love being the No. 1 quarterback and Josh Jacobs being named as the top option in the running back room. Those are simply giveaways. At the same time, there is also compelling information from the depth chart that may or may not leave fans surprised. For one, the wide receiver pecking order has exciting rookie Matthew Golden behind Jayden Reed, who is listed as a starter alongside Dontayvion Wicks. Meanwhile, the left tackle depth chart has Rasheed Walker in front of Jordan Morgan. Of course, it is worth reiterating that this is an unofficial depth chart and that there are still big possibilities of changes on it, as the 2025 NFL season nears. Fans react to Green Bay Packers’ first unofficial 2025 depth chart Rob Demovsky of ESPN also shared the depth chart, and it’s garnered quite a reaction from fans online. “Golden should be starting, wicks and Doubs are average at best,” said a fan on X. Another one said: “Forgot we signed Hardman. Have heard absolutely nothing on him this camp” From a commenter: “Bob I just woke up from a 2 month coma why is Bo Melton under the CBs” “Why tf is Golden a backup slot wr…,” a triggered social media user posted. Via a different commenter: “Jordan Morgan still can’t crack the starting lineup. Awesome waste of a first round pick ” Said another: “Why do the packers always try so hard to phase their rookies in instead of just playing them. They did the same with cooper was last year when all the fans were begging to play him. Golden better be a starter week 1”
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