It’s a pedigree he’s been cultivating since he began writing songs at just 14. Darin launched into the musical stratosphere when he shot to fame in 2004, cementing his breakout status with the release of his No.1 hit debut single “Money for Nothing,” co-written by fellow superstar Swede Robyn. Since then, he has blossomed into one of the country’s biggest cultural forces, backed by a rabid fanbase who elevated album after album to smash status (see: 2015’s Ta mig tillbaka’s 40M streams) and turning Darin into a household name in his native country.

It’s a magical run that saw Darin become the most played artist on Swedish radio in 2018, followed by a blockbuster 2019 arena tour in Sweden which attracted throngs of fans and later resulted in a concert film.

Now, Darin is gearing up for his next chapter; one that comes at major crossroads for the singer on the heels of his triumphant coming out announcement in the summer of 2020. “Right now, I feel more free,” he says of the revelation that garnered headlines around the globe. “A lot has happened personally and artistically that I haven’t even shown to the world yet.”

It’s a personal milestone that’s proving to be a turning point in the star’s career, occurring just as he’s setting his sights beyond Europe. “It just feels like the timing is right,” the superstar explains of his impending introduction to American audiences, starting with the powerhouse feel-good anthem “Can’t Stay Away.” Co-written with Jamie Hartman (Calvin Harris, Kygo, Lewis Capaldi) and produced by Burns (Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande’s “Rain On Me”), it’s a track tailor-made for a world emerging from a tumultuous past year.

“I wanted to release ‘Can’t Stay Away’ because it’s happy and uplifting, and that’s something everyone needs to feel right now,” he explains of the track which was written while Darin was home in Spain, Hartman and was in Los Angeles, with vocals later recorded in Stockholm.

With an album down the pike, Darin couldn’t be more excited for the future. “I’m just having fun creating and doing what I feel like in the moment,” he explains. “I’m hoping my new music can somehow also help others to see a light at the end of the tunnel. A disco light.”