With his new album ‘Avenoir’, Calum Scott opens a confident new chapter in his career. The British singer-songwriter, who first rose to fame with his viral cover of ‘Dancing On My Own’, has since become one of pop’s most distinctive voices. ‘Avenoir’ blends emotional honesty with optimism, exploring themes of love, reflection and self-acceptance. From a moving duet with Whitney Houston to an unexpected country collaboration, it captures Calum’s creative freedom and maturity. We met him in Zurich to talk about the making of the record, his journey of growth, and the lessons that shaped this powerful new era.
SETTE: What was the biggest inspiration behind your new album?
Calum Scott: The biggest inspiration came from the journey I’ve had over the last two albums. My start in music was quite unusual. After my ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ audition went viral, the show ended, and I went back to my normal life. I thought I’d never make it in music. But I worked hard, met people in London and eventually released my version of ‘Dancing On My Own’. It became a global hit and suddenly I was back in the industry. Then it went quiet again. I released ‘You Are The Reason’, it exploded, and then went quiet once more. Those highs and lows make you question everything.
When I started writing this third album, I reflected on that journey. I realised I didn’t get here by luck alone. I’ve worked incredibly hard, and I deserve to be where I am. That belief gave me creative freedom and confidence. I started writing across genres, pop, country, even a slightly sexy song called ‘Peripheral Vision’, things I might never have done before. It feels like the past version of me helped the future one along.
Is there a song on the album that is especially close to your heart, and why?
There’s a song called ‘Mad’. It’s written for my future child. I’ve always wanted to be a dad. My father wasn’t around much when I was growing up, and that left its mark. After therapy and learning self-worth, I’m ready to share that love. ‘Mad’ is like a love poem to my future child, a way of saying how deeply I’ll love them.
This album feels more positive than my earlier ones. Before, I wrote about difficult topics, my sexuality, mental health struggles, but this record feels lighter and more content. It reflects where I am now: confident, settled, happy.
How does this album differ musically or thematically from your previous projects?
On my earlier albums, I didn’t give myself enough credit. I doubted whether I could keep going. The first one was full of raw emotion and ideas I’d saved up for years. The second was about learning the process. But with this third album, I took the ceiling off. I felt free to explore and let go of perfection.
Ed Sheeran once told me that he used to obsess over tiny details, a breath here, a missed guitar string there, until it stopped him enjoying the process. He said: ‘No one else will notice those things’. That helped me relax and find peace in the creative process.
Did you try any new approaches in songwriting or production?
Yes. I experimented with new genres. There’s a country duet with Lauren Alaina called ‘One More Drink’. It came naturally, we were writing about how one more glass of wine isn’t enough to forget someone, and it just felt very country.
We took it to a band in Nashville who played everything live, and the energy was amazing.
I also explored fresh pop sounds, like ‘Unsteady’, which features layered vocals. I used to think I was only good at making people cry, but after working with DJs like Lost Frequencies, Jax Jones and Kygo, I realised I can make people dance too, maybe even at the same time.
The duet with Whitney Houston is a highlight. How did that collaboration come about?
It was a dream come true. My mum used to play Whitney’s music everywhere, in the car, on holidays, on the way to school. Years later, I performed ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ as part of a medley in my shows. The video went viral and reached the Houston estate. They loved it and asked if I’d record a duet using Whitney’s original vocals. Within a week, I was in the studio. It’s the greatest honour of my career to have her family’s blessing.
What do you hope your fans will take away from listening to the album?
The album is called ‘Avenoir’, a word coined by writer John Koenig in ‘The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows’. It means the desire to see one’s future. But to me, it’s about learning to embrace the unknown. My career has been full of surprises I could never have predicted, and that’s what makes it magical. The message I want to share is not to worry too much about what’s ahead or dwell on the past, live fully in the present.
Is there a particular behind-the-scenes moment that stands out from making the album?
One moment I’ll never forget was recording the string sections for ‘Mad’, ‘Gone’, ‘Die For You’ and the title track ‘Avenoir’. Hearing all those talented musicians bring my music to life was spine-tingling.
On ‘Avenoir’, we added small personal touches, my nephew’s voice saying, ‘Go on, mate, well done’, and at the very end, the cry of a baby, symbolising my dream of becoming a father. Hearing those sounds, surrounded by music and love, was overwhelming. It made me realise how grateful I am for this life.
Calum, thank you so much for your time and for sharing these insights with us.
Thank you for having me. I really appreciate the chance to talk about the album and hope people feel the same love and honesty in it that we put into making it.
With ‘Avenoir’, Calum Scott has crafted his most personal and accomplished work to date. The album captures a sense of renewal, a reflection on a decade of transformation that has taken him from viral beginnings to global stages. Tracks like ‘Mad’, ‘Gone’ and ‘Die For You’ showcase his emotional depth, while collaborations with Lauren Alaina and the late Whitney Houston reveal a fearless approach to creativity.
His duet with Houston on ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)’ stands out not only as a technical triumph but as a heartfelt tribute to the artists who shaped him.
Across twelve tracks, ‘Avenoir’ moves between intimacy and grandeur, with Scott’s voice at the centre, expressive, pure and instantly recognisable. The album’s message is one of hope, gratitude and self-belief, an invitation to embrace uncertainty and live fully in the moment. It is an evolution in sound and spirit, confirming Calum Scott not only as one of Britain’s most affecting vocalists, but as an artist unafraid to grow, experiment and connect.
For more Information visit: www.calumscott.com
– Interview by Sonia Narciandi; Photos by Tom Cockram, Rebecca Johnson and Steven Meisel, Cover by Tom Cockram
For more interviews and articles about people click here.
