English singer-songwriter Calum Scott is back to serenade his fans with another heartfelt ballad titled “Heaven.” The new single, armed with meaningful lyrics and an enchanting melody, again showcases Calum’s powerful vocals while highlighting a healthy relationship where two people have respect and admiration toward each other. It also encourages listeners to live in the present and appreciate what they have with their significant others.
However, Calum isn’t the only artist who stole the limelight with his new single, as four other Southeast Asian artists lent their voices to add depth to the single.
Among the talented artists selected to perform alongside Calum in “Heaven” is Darren Espanto, a Filipino-Canadian singer who rose to fame after appearing in the reality singing competition The Voice Kids in 2014.
“I feel so honored to be a part of this project. Calum and I have only been able to talk a few times, but I’ve always been a fan of his music,” Darren said during the online media conference for “Heaven.”
He added that working on a project like “Heaven,” where he gets to work with artists, seems unreal. For Darren, the collaboration was something that he never imagined would happen, even though it was confirmed late.
Calum, on the other hand, finds Darren relatable because they both had similar career trajectories in the music industry, beginning with joining singing competitions in their respective countries. The English artist became known worldwide after competing in Britain’s Got Talent, where he sang his version of Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own.”
“Darren has given his voice to this song and has produced such a unique, beautiful version of it. I’m just so proud to have worked with him,” Calum said.
The Voice Kids alum shares the same sentiments with Calum, adding that their connection comes from their passion for music.
Joining Darren in the lineup are three other artists who Calum handpicked to perform “Heaven,” including Diana Danielle from Malaysia, Hoàng Duyên from Vietnam, and Lyodra from Indonesia. The collaboration between the Southeast Asian artists stems from Calum’s goal to give back to his fans in the region.
“My music seemed to resonate well across Asia even though it’s a territory I haven’t much time in before…Asia’s been a massive supporter of mine over the years, so I wanted to do something special,” Calum said.
Fortunately, “Heaven” also provided Calum with the means to find the artists he selected because they shared videos of them dueting the song on TikTok.
“These four incredible artists were my picks for ‘Heaven,’ and each of them has brought an amazing uniqueness to the song,” Calum shared.
As for his Filipino fans, Calum feels that he has a strong fanbase in the country and hopes to spend more time in the country to connect with them better. “Heaven,” which dropped on June 9, also serves as a bridge for Calum’s sophomore album, Bridge. Although the single is already released, the English singer-songwriter decided to re-release it as a different version where the Southeast Asian artists lend their voices.