Author: Elizabeth PuddicombePublished 13th Feb 2018 Last updated 13th Feb 2018
The 'Perfect' singer has revealed plans to go down a completely new route to follow-up his 2017 record-breaking album, 'Divide'.
After announcing his engagement to long-term girlfriend Cherry Seaborn earlier this year, he admitted his ambition for music was dwindling.
In an interview he said, "I have achieved far more than I thought I ever would. I do not know what to do next. I feel like when you play a stadium you cannot play any bigger than that because what do you do? Sell 15 million albums? What do you do on your next album?"
Speaking on the first episode of George Ezra's new podcast, Ed admits he is not worried if his non-pop album isn't as commercially successful as his last three.
He explained, ''I feel like it's dangerous to have a career that goes bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger and everything's happening, because at some point it's gonna drop."
Check out some Pop albums to look out for in 2018:
Camila Cabello
Camila Cabello announced her debut solo album will be called 'Camila' and revealed it will be released on 12th January.
Ed Sheeran's next album won't be pop music
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Rihanna
Remember when it was normal to expect a Rihanna album near enough every year? 'Rated R', 'Loud', 'Talk That Talk' and 'Unapologetic' were all released within 12 months of each other. However, she has been busy with Fenty beauty so we can anticipate a 2018 release to make up for lost time.
Camila Cabello
Camila Cabello announced her debut solo album will be called 'Camila' and revealed it will be released on 12th January.
Cheryl
Former Girls Aloud star Cheryl is putting in 100% for her comeback album and has even recruited star producer Naughty Boy to produce a track (or two?). She took to her socials to share some exciting news which hinted that she was in the studio with her former band mate Nicola Roberts. Possible 2018 album? We think so!
Nick Jonas
Following his 2016 album 'Last Year Was Complicated' - a break-up album, the ex-Jonas brother has promised his new music in 2018 and a potential party album. Yes!
Selena Gomez
It's been a long time coming. The singer has released 'It Ain't Me', 'Bad Liar', 'Fetish' and 'Wolves' all in the last year and undergone a life-changing kidney transplant. Selena is in better spirits and has an album coming. She has confirmed "there is an album" and "it will be out very soon". We're rooting for you Gomez.
Ariana Grande
AG4 is in the works! The pop superstar has confirmed that she has been working on her fourth album for over a year now, and shared some exciting photos and videos that hint she might be nearly done. We're expecting nothing less but pop greatness from Ari.
Rag'n'Bone Man
He confirmed in an interview he has 10 songs ready for a second album so why wouldn't he release it this year? This would follow-up his chart-topping debut LP 'Human'.
Liam Payne
The pop artist has already released 3 major tracks, 'Strip That Down', 'Bedroom Floor' and 'Get Low' with DJ Zedd. In a recent interview he said his album is "out in January". Well, we're waiting Liam!
Little Mix
The four ladies never rest! Having dominated the Top 40 all year long with 'Glory Days', rumour has it that we should be expecting a little something on the later side of 2018. Take your time ladies, but not too long!
Rita Ora
She has four UK Number 1 hit singles but due to label conflicts, we've been waiting since 2012 for a follow up to her debut album, 'Ora'. Thankfully, now signed to Atlantic, her album is scheduled for 2018.
Rihanna
Remember when it was normal to expect a Rihanna album near enough every year? 'Rated R', 'Loud', 'Talk That Talk' and 'Unapologetic' were all released within 12 months of each other. However, she has been busy with Fenty beauty so we can anticipate a 2018 release to make up for lost time.
Camila Cabello
Camila Cabello announced her debut solo album will be called 'Camila' and revealed it will be released on 12th January.
Cheryl
Former Girls Aloud star Cheryl is putting in 100% for her comeback album and has even recruited star producer Naughty Boy to produce a track (or two?). She took to her socials to share some exciting news which hinted that she was in the studio with her former band mate Nicola Roberts. Possible 2018 album? We think so!
Nick Jonas
Following his 2016 album 'Last Year Was Complicated' - a break-up album, the ex-Jonas brother has promised his new music in 2018 and a potential party album. Yes!
Selena Gomez
It's been a long time coming. The singer has released 'It Ain't Me', 'Bad Liar', 'Fetish' and 'Wolves' all in the last year and undergone a life-changing kidney transplant. Selena is in better spirits and has an album coming. She has confirmed "there is an album" and "it will be out very soon". We're rooting for you Gomez.
Ariana Grande
AG4 is in the works! The pop superstar has confirmed that she has been working on her fourth album for over a year now, and shared some exciting photos and videos that hint she might be nearly done. We're expecting nothing less but pop greatness from Ari.
Rag'n'Bone Man
He confirmed in an interview he has 10 songs ready for a second album so why wouldn't he release it this year? This would follow-up his chart-topping debut LP 'Human'.
Liam Payne
The pop artist has already released 3 major tracks, 'Strip That Down', 'Bedroom Floor' and 'Get Low' with DJ Zedd. In a recent interview he said his album is "out in January". Well, we're waiting Liam!
Little Mix
The four ladies never rest! Having dominated the Top 40 all year long with 'Glory Days', rumour has it that we should be expecting a little something on the later side of 2018. Take your time ladies, but not too long!
Rita Ora
She has four UK Number 1 hit singles but due to label conflicts, we've been waiting since 2012 for a follow up to her debut album, 'Ora'. Thankfully, now signed to Atlantic, her album is scheduled for 2018.
Rihanna
Remember when it was normal to expect a Rihanna album near enough every year? 'Rated R', 'Loud', 'Talk That Talk' and 'Unapologetic' were all released within 12 months of each other. However, she has been busy with Fenty beauty so we can anticipate a 2018 release to make up for lost time.
Ed revealed that he wants to control his music.
“The reason it’s not a pop album is people expect you to come and the next album they’re going to be like ‘it has to be bigger than ‘Shape of You’ and it has to sell more than this’, but if I control it and go ‘here’s a lo-fi record that I really f--king love,’ my fans are gonna be like ‘Yay!’, and the pop world are gonna be like ‘oh well, maybe the next one.”
The superstar admits that ditching pop hasn't gone down well with his record label, Atlantic Records.
"The label hate that. The label really f---ing hate that. They want a big pop album again but I think that st’s dangerous."
Pop or not - we can't wait to hear what he cooks up!
