| Higher | |
| Cover: | The Naked and Famous - Higher.png |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | The Naked and Famous |
| Album: | Simple Forms |
| Recorded: | 2015–2016[1] [2] |
| Label: | Somewhat Damaged |
| Prev Title: | Hearts Like Ours |
| Prev Year: | 2013 |
| Next Title: | Laid Low |
| Next Year: | 2016 |
"Higher" is a song by New Zealand indie electronic band The Naked and Famous from their third studio album, Simple Forms. It was released on 8 July 2016 as the album's lead single.[3] [4]
After touring in support of their second studio album, In Rolling Waves (2013), the band began a sabbatical in mid-2014 from touring. Their third studio album, Simple Forms, was recorded at Powers' home studio in Echo Park, Los Angeles, amidst the end of an eight-year romantic relationship between lead vocalists Alisa Xayalith and Thom Powers. Xayalith stated, "It's been two years since we came off the road and a lot of life has happened in and all around us. We've been broken here and picked ourselves up again—so maybe this chorus talk a little to that experience...love, grief, time passing and returning to a place where we are lucky to have each other."[2]
According to keyboardist Aaron Short, "Higher" was planned for inclusion on In Rolling Waves, and was originally "a lot more of a down-tempo, minimal electronic form", with Powers on vocals. The song was ultimately included on Simple Forms.[5]
In early July 2016, the group signed with Kobalt Label Services in North America for the release of the single, as well as their third studio album.[4]
Consequence of Sound described the track as dealing with both passion and pain in great quantities, with "razor synths buzzsaw and grind before being uplifted by Xayalith's skyscraper vocals".[2] The New Zealand Herald stated that "The Auckland five-piece are known for making synth-drenched festival singalongs, and Higher's shimmering hooks and shouted chorus is no different."[3]
The song was used in a commercial for Comcast Xfinity.
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Simple Forms.[6]
| Region | Date | Format | Version | Label | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 8 July 2016 | Digital download | Original | Somewhat Damaged | [8] [9] |
| United States | 2 August 2016 | Alternative radio | [10] | ||
| Various | 10 April 2017 | Digital download | FKYA remix | Somewhat Damaged | [11] [12] |
| 19 May 2017 | RAC remix | [13] [14] | |||
| 28 July 2017 | Stripped | [15] [16] |