Ed Sheeran’s latest album, “Play,” is introspective with some global flavor, but it doesn’t stray far from his typical territory.

His eighth studio album preserves the singer’s signature love story lyrics, poignant moments, strumming guitar and close range vocals. Mixing slow and steady acoustic ballads with synth-heavy and vibrant dance beats, the new album caters to a variety of listeners.

“The Vow” and “Azizam” have been on repeat since first listening to the album. While it can be sappy at times, “The Vow” is classic Sheeran sound and is especially earnest after the singer faced personal loss and his wife’s diagnosis and recovery from cancer.

“We lost friends and faith, we lost sight, and when all of these moments have come, we have walked through the fire as one,” Sheeran sings.

“Azizam” is a vastly different song, but it is radio pop perfection. With playful sound and electronic elements, it begs to be played on the dance floor. The track, named after the Farsi word for “my darling,” has strong Persian influences with riffs on the santur and hammered dulcimer.

The album comes after two album releases in 2023 which were well received but hardly saw the success of record-breaking hits like “Shape of You,” “Photograph” and “Perfect.” On the first song, aptly named “Opening,” Sheeran raps about the recent challenges in his career.

“When your career’s in a risky place / Everything seems like a big mistake, I’m still looking for s*** to say, deluding myself that they still relate,” Sheeran sings.

The album plays things safe, remaining radio-friendly but not quite revolutionary. “The Vow” is destined to be added to every wedding playlist, and Sheeran’s heartfelt accolade to his daughters, “For Always,” will make for the perfect father-daughter dance.

The biggest shift from his typical sound is the incorporation of elements of Middle Eastern and Asian sound with songs such as “Symmetry,” featuring Indian percussion with Gujarati drums.

On “Sapphire,” the album’s second track, Sheeran duets with Indian singer Arjit Singh with lyrics in English, Hindi and Punjabi. The international influences adds some flair, but the Western pop sound still dominates.

Another sign of development is the lyrical edge within some of the tracks. While songs like “Camera” and “In Other Words” maintain his Hallmark-worthy verbiage, some of the lyrics delve into more emotionally complex life experiences.

Most notably, ”A Little More” is a biting tribute to a bad friend. Compared to his unproblematic and easy-going personality, the song captures a different side to the singer.

“I used to love you, but every day I hate you just a little more,” Sheeran sings.

On a less petty note, Sheeran also sings about reopening old emotional wounds on “Old Phone,” a song that mirrors the pain of nostalgia captured in “Castle on a Hill.”

“For Always” and “Slowly” illustrate the pain of being away from a significant other, particularly striking a chord after his wife’s health struggles.

“Play” expands Sheeran’s palette with international sounds and heavier emotions while keeping one foot planted in the safe, chart-friendly ground that made him a global star. It’s a careful evolution, leaving the question of whether his next move will take bolder risks.