Ed Sheeran just released Play (Deluxe) on November 28. The original album Play, his eighth studio album, was released two months ago in September. Prior to its release, Ed has released a few singles from the album, including Azizam, Old Phone, Sapphire, Camera, A Little More, and Symmetry. Play had a total of 13 tracks in the album, but Play (Deluxe) saw the addition of 14 bonus songs. The original album was given a score of 60 out of 100 by Metacritic, while AnyDecentMusic? gave it a score of 5.5 out of 10. Play (Deluxe) is available in two formats: vinyl LP and CD.Without delaying any further, let's get into the best to worst tracks from Ed Sheeran's Play (Deluxe) album.Play (Deluxe) tracks ranked best to worstWith the release of Play (Deluxe), listeners have been debating which songs truly shine. Here is a simple breakdown of all the tracks, ranked from best to worst.Disclaimer: The following list contains the writer's opinion. Comment the order in which you think the songs should be arranged in the comment section below. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostSapphireSapphire is undoubtedly one of the best tracks on Play and Play (Deluxe). It is a combination of pop and Punjabi influences, taking inspiration from Ed Sheeran's "Mathematics Tour" in India. It stands out because of its bold production and cultural fusion.AzizamEd Sheeran worked with Swedish-Iranian producer Ilya Salmanzadeh on Azizam. The title of the song itself is derived from the Persian word for "my dear." The song has an electropop feel that adds brightness to the album. The fact that it is so catchy and memorable makes it stand out as one of the best songs in Play (Deluxe).Old PhoneOld Phone is reminiscent of Sheeran's earlier work. It taps into nostalgia with heartfelt lyrics and classic Sheeran storytelling. It may be simple, but it resonates emotionally with its listeners.The chorus goes:“Conversations with my dead friends / Messages from all my exes / I kinda think that this was best left / In the past where it belongs / I feel an overwhelming sadness / Of all the friends I do not have left / Seeing how my family has fracturеd / Growing up and moving on.”SymmetryAnother song on Play (Deluxe) that has influences of Indian instruments is Symmetry. The song has an uplifting rhythm and polished hook. It has been described by Maya Georgi from Rolling Stones as a:"sultry dance-floor number" with a "thumping heart that can get anyone dancing."In Other WordsEveryone loves a good slow Ed Sheeran song. In Other Words is a gentle, romantic ballad that captures simple but sincere feelings. It has a tenderness that works well to communicate a love that is worth fighting for.Here is a small extract of the lyrics:“Give me all your hopes / Give me all your doubts / Give me all your workday news / Give me all your secrets / Give me all your truths / In other words, give me all of you.”CrashingThis is one of Sheeran's songs on Play (Deluxe) that is praised for its lyrical beauty. Have a look at some of the lyrics below:“So here we are again / Side by side, a thousand miles away / Lost for words to say / Why are the hearts we love the ones we break?”“We split, we stall, we fail, we fall / We snap and then mend / I know it seems we're folding in / But let's not pretend / That we can't stop crashing in love / Crashin' in love / Crashin' in love.”RaptureAnother signature Ed Sheeran song with romantic and introspective themes. It is a soft and emotional song that adds variety and depth to the rest of the tracklist. The song can be described as a hopeless romantic’s anthem.The song goes:"I don't just want you for the rapture / I want the twist and turns of a modern love / Give me a kiss, I wanna be fractured / I'd give anything for us / I don't just want you for the rapture / And when we're hiding scars, no need to cover up / Give me a kiss, I wanna be fractured / I'd give anything for us."The VowThe Vow is reminiscent of Sheeran's Thinking Out Loud and also has a tinge of Dan + Shay's Speechless. It is sweet and romantic with a touching message.The chorus goes:“Words are just words / But I need you to know / That beyond to have and hold / That my vow to you is to love you and never let go / We've been through hurt / But I thank the broken road / That led me into your arms / And my vow to you is to love you and never let go.”A Little MoreThe reason why A Little More is well-loved is because of how honest and raw the lyrics are. It explores darker emotions with vulnerability. The stripped-back production highlights Sheeran's voice, making it relatable, though it lacks the polish of the higher-ranked songs.FreedomFreedom offers a more light-hearted message in comparison to the more somber songs on the Play (Deluxe) tracklist. It shares a message of liberation and hope, suggesting a desire for release and renewal.It opens up with the lines:“Wherever I go, I'm never alone / Even when I am in all my darkest moments / Whatever I do, there's somethin' of you / Through the cracks, you're the light that is everglowin.”I Don’t Wanna Go To BedThe last track on the Play (Deluxe) tracklist is a more playful and wistful track. It shows off Sheeran's storytelling genius through his lyrics. It is the perfect song to close the album, but it is far from last place on this list.Fade OutFollowing Lights Out on the Play (Deluxe) tracklist, it is the opposite of the earlier song. Fade Out has an almost R&B vibe to it. Although it is not Ed Sheeran's usual ballad style, it is definitely up there on the list.CameraCamera is another pleasant and slow song in Play (Deluxe). It is a combination of reflective lyrics with a soft melody. However, it lacks the boldness and emotional impact of the stronger tracks. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostHeavenHeaven is different from most of the songs in the Play (Deluxe) tracklist. It has a slower pace and uses noticeably heavier autotune, giving it a smoother, more atmospheric sound. While it is a nice listen, it does not push any boundaries.Lights OutIf you want to dance to an Ed Sheeran song in a nightclub, Lights Out from Play (Deluxe) would be the perfect choice. It is slow and sultry, but with enough bite and beats to make your dance moves flow.SatelliteIn Satellite, Ed Sheeran displays his genius with his lyrics, playing around with patterns of the rhymes. It has a dreamy or atmospheric vibe. While it is not that pronounced, there is a slight hint of African beats, which gives it a warm, rhythmic pulse.ProblemsDespite the title of the track, Problems has a unique sound that brings you to a small European town as a means to escape. The song is straightforward, but it lacks depth and musical punch. It feels like filler compared to the Play (Deluxe)'s standout tracks.For AlwaysAnother soothing song from Sheeran's Play (Deluxe). It gives off a warm and comforting vibe. However, its gentle melody lulls the listener rather than igniting a spark that can be found in the other songs.OpeningThis 4:00-minute-long ambitious intro sets a dramatic tone for the entire album. Opening is creative, but it does not capture lasting emotion. With a mix of Sheeran's soothing voice and his skilful rap, it keeps the track at the lower end of the ranking.RegretsThe song starts strong with a heavy 90s Bollywood vibe. It is reflective and regret-tinged, resonating with loss and sorrow. It is one of the more emotionally honest tracks on Play (Deluxe).The chorus goes:“I'm not sayin' it's all in my head / But I can't help thinkin' what's next / When tomorrow is all we got left / Confessing regrets / Why's there distance when we're right here? / Is the anger just proof we care? / And love and war is not fair / Confessing regrets.”SlowlySlowly is soft and emotional. It explores vulnerability with a calming tune. It is one of those songs you listen to while dancing in the kitchen late at night. Despite its sincerity, it does not offer a standout moment, causing it to blend into the album rather than shine.Sapphire (Punjabi Version) (Ft. Arijit Singh)This is a reimagined, cross-cultural take on the original, combining Sheeran's style with South Asian musical influences for a fresh, global vibe. However, it cannot beat the original track that stands at number one on Play (Deluxe).War GameWar Game lacks a strong musical hook. It is one of the songs on Play (Deluxe) with a subdued energy and repetitive feel, making it one of the less memorable moments on the album.SkeletonsSkeletons feel heavily influenced by Ed Sheeran’s 2021 single, Bad Habits. The song hints at hidden truths or inner demons, adding emotional depth and complexity to the song. However, it is not considered one of the top songs on the Play (Deluxe) tracklist.SpiralSpiral is one of those songs on the Play (Deluxe) tracklist that gives a sense of vulnerability and raw honesty. It is reminiscent of Sheeran’s 2017 Supermarket Flowers.Don’t Look DownDon’t Look Down is another song that experiments with mood and pacing. Despite its interesting vibe, it can be quite forgettable from the rest of the songs on Play (Deluxe). It does not have that usual Ed Sheeran “oomph” that his songs usually have.TechnicolourHere is another experimental song in Play (Deluxe). The song may be catchy and vibrant, but not enough to be memorable.Ed Sheeran's Play (Deluxe) album gives fans many new songs to explore. Some tracks shine more than others, but each one shows his talent. Overall, the album offers something for every listener.Also read: “I guess nobody clicked play”: Fans react as Ed Sheeran ‘Play’ debuts at top five on Billboard 200 with 71k units