"Can’t wait to hear this": Fans react as Calvin Harris set to drop 'Smoke the Pain Away' this Friday

Calvin Harris is set to drop his new single, Smoke the Pain Away, on Friday, March 14, 2025. The song is gaining traction as it includes Harris' vocals, a first in his recent releases since 2010. The news has triggered a surge of responses from fans, with most of them showing enthusiasm for his return to singing. One user wrote,

"Can't wait to hear this" via @djblightly on Instagram.

The song, previewed on Harris's Instagram account, has also shocked many with its country-inspired tune.

Fans have commented on how much of a departure this is from his electronic norm, one commenting,

"Never expected a country song by Calvin Harris." via @amitdvori on Instagram.

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Calvin Harris's music has progressed through various genres

Calvin Harris, the EDM chart-topper, has experimented with various sounds over his career. His debut album, I Created Disco, released in 2007, was heavily electro-funk-influenced, with tracks including Acceptable in the 80s and The Girls.

He then moved into commercial EDM, creating worldwide hits with Rihanna, We Found Love (2011) and Summer (2014). His 2017 album, Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1, experienced another transformation, adding funk and R&B elements to songs such as Feels and Slide. His next track, Smoke the Pain Away, hints at another change.

The preview clip includes acoustic guitar and somber lyrics, indicating a drift towards country-style music. Electronic musicians have done it before- Avicii and Diplo have been known to do so. Harris's choice of trying something new is now a subject of debate among fans and industry observers.

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The teaser clip has generated curiosity in listeners

On March 5, Harris uploaded a teaser video of Smoke the Pain Away on Instagram. The clip features him playing the guitar outdoors in a countryside environment, sporting a relaxed appearance with longer hair and a beard.

The lyrics in the teaser,

"Too late, I've been up for days; I can't even see straight; no, I can't smoke the pain away,"

suggest a more introspective theme. Fans have also weighed in on this change in his music.

One wrote,

"YEAAAAH THE SCOTTISH VOICE ARE BACKKKKK!" via @pedro_maqs on Instagram.

while another added,

"Calvin Harris as a singer also back chat!!" via @swapnanilbose.18 on Instagram.

The song also seems to center around personal issues, something that might be relatable to many listeners. This has created interest in what the complete track will sound like.

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The industry is paying attention to this genre-bending experiment

Mixing country with EDM isn't typical, but artists like Avicii have already proved that it works. According to a report by Billboard,

“Smoke the Pain Away” is far from the first time a dance artist has crossed over into country, with Avicii famously building the bridge with his 2013 all-time smash “Wake Me Up”. Diplo followed suit with a 2020 album and 2024 mixtape of country music released under his given name, Thomas Wesley"

There is also speculation regarding whether this will be an experiment for one time or if Harris is going to carry on in this direction. Some think that his versatility enables him to switch between genres without being locked into one sound. Others believe that Smoke the Pain Away may be a harbinger of further changes in his future work.

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As Smoke the Pain Away drops this Friday, listeners and industry observers are eager to get an earful of the entire song. The change in style has resulted in divided opinions, but the general opinion is that people are keen on understanding how Harris's recent work falls within his changing career.

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