Ed Sheeran secures seventh straight number one album
English singer-songwriter, Ed Sheeran, has secured his seventh straight UK number one album with the seasonally-fitting Autumn Variations.
It means all of the singer’s albums, from his 2011 debut + to his latest collection, have reached the summit.
Sheeran said the latest achievement “means more than any other award I’ve had” as this is the first time he’s released an album on his own label.
Autumn Variations, a collaboration with The National’s Aaron Dessner, was released on 29 September 2023 through his record label, Gingerbread Man Records.
The album also tops the Official Vinyl Albums Chart, proving the most popular album of the past seven days on wax.
Autumn is finally here! 🍂🧡 Autumn Variations, the brand new album is OUT NOW! Watch American Town live acoustic on YouTube 🎥
Which tracks are we loving the most?! Discuss…👇
Listen: https://t.co/CITysnkfX1
Watch: https://t.co/y51ughZECU#AutumnVariations pic.twitter.com/UmO0OhTaYP— Ed Sheeran HQ (@edsheeran) September 29, 2023
All tracks on the album were solely produced by Aaron Dessner, except the track “Spring”, which was produced by Dessner together with his twin brother, Bryce.
As Ed Sheeran adds another to his tally with #AutumnVariations
See the full list of acts with the most chart-topping albums 🏆👇https://t.co/TF7cswLWOD
— Official Charts (@officialcharts) October 7, 2023
The album also serves as Sheeran’s second project of 2023, following the May release of his previous album, − (“Subtract”) which was released on 5 May 2023 through Asylum and Atlantic Records.
Also Read: ‘Peru’ Remix Tops UK Music Charts
Autumn Variations is the first studio album for which he Sheeran owns the copyright.
As with its predecessor, – (Subtract), it finds Sheeran in reflective mode, surveying the personal crises and upheavals his friends went through in 2022.
The 32-year-old said the record was loosely inspired by Edward Elgar, whose 1899 Enigma Variations also featured 14 sketches of his wife, friends and colleagues.
It received mixed reviews – both tricks and treats, to continue the October theme – on its release last week.