Heading Up High Explained

Heading Up High
Cover:File:Armin van Buuren feat. Kensington - Heading Up High.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Armin van Buuren featuring Kensington
Album:Embrace
Released:5 February 2016
Recorded:Armada Studios, Amsterdam
Length:3:52
Chronology:Armin van Buuren
Prev Title:Strong Ones
Prev Year:2015
Next Title:Freefall
Next Year:2016

"Heading Up High" is a song by Dutch disc jockey and record producer Armin van Buuren. It features the Dutch band Kensington. The track was released in the Netherlands by Armind as a digital download on 5 February 2016 as the fourth single from van Buuren's sixth album Embrace.

The First State remix of the song was more often played by Armin van Buuren during his shows.

Background and release

Armin van Buuren declared about the song “I wanted to create a song that was just totally unexpected and I'd been drawn to the sound of Kensington for some time. We really vibed well together and I think my long-time dance music fans may be surprised by some elements of this song. It just really soars and I get a great reaction whenever I play it out! It's got the feel of worlds coming together.”[1]

Reception

According to Amanda Mesa from webmedia Dancing Astronaut, "Infectious and high-energy, “Heading Up High” is yet another example of Embrace’s genre-fluidity. [...] Overall, “Heading Up High” is a roller coaster across intense highs and lows that'll leave you hanging on for more."[1]

Music video

A music video to accompany the release of "Heading Up High" was first premiered worldwide by MTV on 9 February 2016.[2] The music video shows a live performance by both Armin van Buuren & Kensington in a prison populated by inmates. Hardwell appears as one of the prisoners of the video. The song encourages the captives literally to head up high towards a loophole.

Track listing

  1. "Heading Up High" – 3:52
  2. "Heading Up High" (Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike vs. BOOSTEDKIDS Radio Edit) – 2:34
  3. "Heading Up High" (Years Radio Edit) – 4:04
  4. "Heading Up High" (First State Radio Edit) – 3:52
  5. "Heading Up High" (Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike vs. BOOSTEDKIDS Remix) – 5:21
  6. "Heading Up High" (Years Remix) – 5:40
  7. "Heading Up High" (First State Remix) – 5:52

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Armin van Buuren – Heading Up High (Original Mix). Amanda Mesa. Dancing Astronaut. 13 August 2022. 14 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210414075352/https://dancingastronaut.com/2016/02/armin-van-buuren-heading-high-original-mix/. live.
  2. Web site: Armin van Buuren “Heading Up High” feat. Kensington Sees Release on Armada, Music Video Premiere on MTV. Mason Siegel. The Noctural Times. 13 August 2022. 20 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210620121403/https://www.thenocturnaltimes.com/armin-van-buuren-heading-up-high-feat-kensington-sees-release-on-armada-music-video-premiere-on-mtv/. live.