NEW YORK (AP) — Ed Sheeran continues his mission to connect with audiences through heartfelt tunes and irresistibly catchy melodies. His latest release, “Play,” marks his eighth studio album and largely follows his trusted formula. Sheeran has preserved his relatable persona even as his fame has grown. By quietly adjusting to mainstream trends and staying largely out of the spotlight—aside from a few notable appearances, like a recent surprise stop at a New York City ice cream shop—he maintains