"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]
| "Higher" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by The Naked and Famous | ||||
| from the album Simple Forms | ||||
| Released | 8 July 2016 | |||
| Recorded | 2015–2016[1][2] | |||
| Length | 3:50 | |||
| Label | Somewhat Damaged | |||
| Songwriter(s) | The Naked and Famous | |||
| Producer(s) |
| |||
| The Naked and Famous singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background
editAfter 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]
Release and reception
editIn 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.[citation needed]
Track listings
edit- Digital download
- "Higher"
- Digital download – FKYA Remix
- "Higher" (FKYA Remix) – 3:50
- Digital download – RAC Remix
- "Higher" (RAC Remix) – 4:30
- Digital download – Stripped
- "Higher" (Stripped) – 4:02
Credits and personnel
editCredits adapted from the liner notes of Simple Forms.[6]
- The Naked and Famous – production
- Thomas Powers – production
- Sombear – additional production
- Carlos de la Garza – live instrumentation engineering
- Ken Andrews – mixing
- Joe LaPorta – mastering
Charts
edit| Chart (2016) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Rock (Billboard)[7] | 47 |
| New Zealand Heatseeker Singles (RMNZ)[8] | 2 |
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[9] | 39 |
| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[10] | 45 |
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Version | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 8 July 2016 | Digital download | Original | Somewhat Damaged | [11][12] |
| United States | 2 August 2016 | Alternative radio |
|
[13] | |
| Various | 10 April 2017 | Digital download | FKYA remix | Somewhat Damaged | [14][15] |
| 19 May 2017 | RAC remix | [16][17] | |||
| 28 July 2017 | Stripped | [18][19] |
References
edit- ^ "Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ^ a b c Geslani, Michelle (7 July 2016). "The Naked and Famous announce new album, Simple Forms, premiere "Higher" — listen". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ^ a b "The new Naked & Famous album was made in the wake of a painful break-up". The New Zealand Herald. 8 July 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ^ a b "Kobalt Label Services Signs New Zealand Band The Naked And Famous". All Access Music Group. 7 July 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ^ Smith, Brennan (26 October 2016). "Concert preview: The Naked and Famous emerge from a time-out with 'Simple Forms'". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
- ^ Simple Forms (liner notes). The Naked and Famous. Somewhat Damaged. 2016. SDL002CD.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "The Naked and Famous Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
- ^ "Heatseeker Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 18 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ "The Naked and Famous Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
- ^ "The Naked and Famous Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
- ^ "Higher – Single by The Naked and Famous". iTunes Store (NZ). Retrieved 11 July 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Higher (2016) | The Naked And Famous". 7digital (US). Retrieved 6 September 2019.
- ^ "Alternative > Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on 8 July 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
- ^ "Higher (FKYA Remix) – Single by The Naked and Famous". Apple Music (Australia). Retrieved 6 September 2019.
- ^ "Higher (FKYA Remix) – Single by The Naked and Famous". Apple Music (NZ). Retrieved 6 September 2019.
- ^ "Higher (RAC Remix) – Single by The Naked and Famous". Apple Music (Australia). Retrieved 6 September 2019.
- ^ "Higher (RAC Remix) – Single by The Naked and Famous". Apple Music (NZ). Retrieved 6 September 2019.
- ^ "Higher (Stripped) – Single by The Naked and Famous". Apple Music (Australia). Retrieved 6 September 2019.
- ^ "Higher (Stripped) – Single by The Naked and Famous". Apple Music (NZ). Retrieved 6 September 2019.