Today marks the release of Calum Scott’s sophomore album Bridges, the multi-platinum-selling singer-songwriter’s most fearlessly candid and captivating work yet. To celebrate the arrival of Bridges, Calum has shared the spellbinding slice-of-life video for his recent single “Heaven,” one of the album’s most euphoric tracks.
In a dynamic evolution of his debut album Only Human — a 2018 release that landed at No. 1 on the Apple Music album chart in over 20 countries across the globe — Bridges finds Calum working with A-list producers like eight-time GRAMMY Award®-winner Greg Kurstin (Paul McCartney, Elton John, Adele) and pushing his songwriting into bold new directions.
“From touring all over the world and seeing how people have been affected by my music, I realised how important it is for me to keep writing from a very honest place,” says Calum. “I’ve learned that I can take the painful things I’ve been through, then create something beautiful that helps people to process their feelings, to take action, to become more compassionate and understanding of others, or just to escape from the world for a while. For me this new album is about sharing things I’ve never shared before and taking leaps that sometimes feel terrifying, with the hope that it will bring some inspiration or reassurance to anyone who needs it.”
While Bridges sometimes journeys into emotionally heavy terrain — shedding light on such complex issues as mental health, self-worth, and loss — “Heaven” emerges as a moment of pure bliss as Calum speaks to the sublime power of surrendering to love. Directed by Lewis Cater (Emeli Sandé, Cavetown), the video for “Heaven” finds Calum seated in the backseat of a car, gazing out the window as he roams the streets of Los Angeles. From that vantage point, he takes in a series of scenes capturing the song’s spirit of indomitable love: two women meeting up at a coffee shop for their first date, an older couple riding through the city on a motorcycle, a just-married bride and groom dining in a fast-food joint in their gown and tuxedo, and more. Spliced with shots of Calum belting out “Heaven” from the heights of the Hollywood Hills — where a breathtaking meteor shower soon unfolds — the video ultimately merges the magical with the beautifully ordinary.
Along with “Heaven,” Bridges includes the previously released singles “Biblical” (a heart-on-sleeve ballad Calum later followed with an American Sign Language version made in collaboration with the Tony Award®-winning Deaf West Theatre), “Rise” (a wildly soaring track whose video features a mesmerising performance from British actor Georgia Hirst), and “If You Ever Change Your Mind” (a bittersweet but empowered piece produced by Kurstin). In addition, the album features Calum’s deeply empathetic cover of Scottish artist Greg Holden’s 2015 track “Boys in the Street” — a devastating but life-affirming account of a father’s struggle to accept his openly gay son. Accompanied by a stark and stunning black-and-white video, Calum’s impassioned take on “Boys in the Street” premiered earlier this month to coincide with Pride month.
For Calum, one of the most thrilling aspects of Bridges’ release is the opportunity to perform its songs live, starting with his eagerly awaited summer headlining tour of North America. “Looking out and seeing everyone connecting with these songs I’ve written in the most tragic or beautiful moments is the closest thing to magic that I’ll ever get,” Calum says. “It never stops inspiring me to be as real and sincere in my music as I possibly can.”
Calum will embark on a world tour with 25 dates scheduled for North America and dates across the UK, Europe, Australia, and South Africa. See below for UK dates and find ticketing info at https://www.calumscott.com/.
Calum Scott UK & Ireland Tour dates
30 September 2022 – Dublin, Ireland – Olympia Theatre
01 October 2022 – Edinburgh, UK – The Queen’s Hall
02 October 2022 – Manchester, UK – The Lowry
04 October 2022 – Birmingham – Town Hall
06 London, UK – London – Palladium
08 October 2022 – Hull, UK – Bonus Arena
