Higher (The Naked and Famous song)

"Higher"
Single by The Naked and Famous
from the album Simple Forms
Released8 July 2016 (2016-07-08)
Recorded2015–2016[1][2]
Length3:50
LabelSomewhat Damaged
Songwriter(s)The Naked and Famous
Producer(s)
  • The Naked and Famous
  • Thom Powers
  • Sombear (add.)
The Naked and Famous singles chronology
"Hearts Like Ours"
(2013) 		"Higher"
(2016) 		"Laid Low"
(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]

Background

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]

Release and reception

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.[citation needed]

Track listings

  • Digital download
  1. "Higher"
  • Digital download – FKYA Remix
  1. "Higher" (FKYA Remix) – 3:50
  • Digital download – RAC Remix
  1. "Higher" (RAC Remix) – 4:30
  • Digital download – Stripped
  1. "Higher" (Stripped) – 4:02

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Simple Forms.[6]

Charts

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

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

  1. ^ "Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ a b "Kobalt Label Services Signs New Zealand Band The Naked And Famous". All Access Music Group. 7 July 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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)
  7. ^ "The Naked and Famous Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  8. ^ "Heatseeker Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 18 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  9. ^ "The Naked and Famous Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  10. ^ "The Naked and Famous Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  11. ^ "Higher – Single by The Naked and Famous". iTunes Store (NZ). Retrieved 11 July 2016.[permanent dead link‍]
  12. ^ "Higher (2016) | The Naked And Famous". 7digital (US). Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  13. ^ "Alternative > Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on 8 July 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  14. ^ "Higher (FKYA Remix) – Single by The Naked and Famous". Apple Music (Australia). Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  15. ^ "Higher (FKYA Remix) – Single by The Naked and Famous". Apple Music (NZ). Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  16. ^ "Higher (RAC Remix) – Single by The Naked and Famous". Apple Music (Australia). Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  17. ^ "Higher (RAC Remix) – Single by The Naked and Famous". Apple Music (NZ). Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  18. ^ "Higher (Stripped) – Single by The Naked and Famous". Apple Music (Australia). Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  19. ^ "Higher (Stripped) – Single by The Naked and Famous". Apple Music (NZ). Retrieved 6 September 2019.