Calvin Harris, the Scottish maestro of electronic dance music, has surprised fans with his latest single, ‘Smoke The Pain Away’, a country-infused track featuring his own vocals for the first time in over a decade. Released on March 14, 2025, this genre-blending gem marks a bold evolution in Harris’s illustrious career, showcasing his versatility beyond the DJ booth. Here’s everything you need to know about this reflective new song, his groundbreaking Ushuaïa Ibiza residency, and his recent accolades. Calvin Harris is back!!!
How did Calvin Harris make Smoke The Pain Away?
‘Smoke The Pain Away’ is a departure from the pulsating beats Harris is renowned for, trading synths for twangy guitars and harmonicas while retaining a subtle electronic undercurrent. The track is his first vocal performance since 2014’s ‘Summer’ from the album Motion, a hit that solidified his status as a chart-topping artist. In this latest release, Harris’s deep, emotive voice takes center stage, delivering lyrics that blend melancholy with a foot-stomping rhythm:
“Eyes sparkle like sun in June / Grow up and wait for you / Wide awake in a hotel room / Thinkin’, ‘Oh, what I could do’,” he sings, before adding, “Too late, I’ve been up for days / I can’t even see straight / No, I can’t smoke the pain away.”
Fans first got a taste of the track when Harris teased it on Instagram on March 5, captioning a studio clip with “SMOKE THE PAIN AWAY. It’s coming.” The full release has been met with enthusiasm, with his wife, BBC Radio 1 presenter Vick Hope, commenting, “Those vocals… YEEEESSSSS!!!” alongside a fire emoji. The song’s introspective tone and country-dance fusion draw comparisons to Avicii’s 2013 smash ‘Wake Me Up’, hinting at Harris’s intent to bridge genres while pushing creative boundaries.
A New Chapter After ‘Free’ and Rihanna Remix
This single follows Harris’s recent collaboration with Ellie Goulding, ‘Free’, dropped in July 2024, which became a staple at his Ushuaïa Ibiza performances. Before that, he revisited his 2016 Rihanna hit ‘This Is What You Came For’ with the ‘Calvin Harris VIP Mix – Amazon Music Original’ in November 2024, proving his knack for reimagining classics. ‘Smoke The Pain Away’, however, feels like a fresh start, blending his electronic roots with country influences—a move that’s already sparking buzz about a potential new album.
A press release describes the track as “a celebration of artistic freedom, weaving together influences from his past with exciting new sounds.” It’s a testament to Harris’s restless creativity, having amassed over 56 billion streams worldwide with anthems like ‘One Kiss’ (with Dua Lipa) and ‘Feel So Close’.
What else is Calvin Harris doing?
While fans revel in his latest musical offering, Harris is also making waves off the studio floor. On March 11, 2025, he announced an unprecedented double residency at Ushuaïa Ibiza, becoming the first artist in the venue’s history to hold two weekly slots in a single season. From May 30 to September 12, he’ll command Fridays, and from July 1 to August 26, he’ll take over Tuesdays, delivering 25 meticulously curated shows.
“This is something that’s never been done before, and I’m buzzing to be the first artist to hold a double residency at Ushuaïa Ibiza,” Harris said. “The energy of people from all over the world, all coming together at the epicenter of electronic music, is something I can’t wait to feel again. Two residencies, two completely different nights—this is going to be a season like no other.”
Tickets start at €120 (£100), available at Ushuaïa Ibiza’s official site, with Fridays continuing his signature high-energy sets and Tuesdays introducing a “fresh concept” featuring cutting-edge production and visuals. Yann Pissenem, CEO of The Night League, praised Harris’s ability to connect with fans, calling the residency “truly spectacular.”
What has Calvin Harris achieved recently?
At the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards in Manchester, Calvin Harris clinched the Best Electronic prize, outshining heavyweights like David Guetta, Disclosure, and Fred Again.. This win adds to his trophy cabinet, which includes a Grammy for Best Music Video (‘We Found Love’ with Rihanna) and multiple Billboard Music Awards.
However, not all news is celebratory. Rumors of a scrapped collaboration with Miley Cyrus titled ‘Ocean’ surfaced recently, disappointing fans eager for another pop-EDM crossover. More intriguingly, Harris told MistaJam in 2024 that he plans to retire from DJing at 50—giving him just over five years (he’s currently 41) to redefine his legacy. Could ‘Smoke The Pain Away’ signal a shift toward producing and singing full-time?
Why This Matters
Harris’s foray into country isn’t just a one-off experiment; it’s part of a broader trend of electronic artists exploring the genre, from Diplo’s Thomas Wesley project to Avicii’s lasting influence. With no scheduled performances yet for 2025 beyond Ibiza, ‘Smoke The Pain Away’ keeps Harris in the spotlight, proving he’s not content to rest on his laurels.
What do you think of Calvin Harris’s country pivot? Stream ‘Smoke The Pain Away’ now and join the conversation in the comments below. For the latest on his music and Ibiza residency, stay tuned!
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