Format Digital download Genre Synthpop
indie pop Label Somewhat Damaged | Recorded 2015–16 Length 3:50 | |
Released 8 July 2016 (2016-07-08) | ||
"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.
Contents
Background
After touring in support of their second studio album, In Rolling Waves (2013), the band began a sabbatical in mid-2014 from touring. Near the end of an eight-year romantic relationship between lead vocalists Alisa Xayalith and Thom Powers, the album was created at Powers' home studio in Echo Park, Los Angeles.
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."
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.
Consequence of Sound describes 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".
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."
It was also released in numerous British clothing shops as their soundtrack; including New Look.