Higher (The Naked and Famous song)

2016 single by The Naked and Famous

"Higher"

Single by The Naked and Famous
from the album  Simple Forms
Released| 8 July 2016 (2016-07-08)
Recorded| 2015–2016[1][2]
Length| 3:50
Label| Somewhat 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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

* 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

[edit]

Credits 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 |

* Kobalt
* In2une

| [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]

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.

## External links

[edit]

* "Higher" lyric video on YouTube

* v
* t
* e

The Naked and Famous

* Alisa Xayalith
* Thom Powers

Studio albums|

* Passive Me, Aggressive You (2010)
* In Rolling Waves (2013)
* Simple Forms (2016)
* Recover (2020)

Extended plays|

* This Machine (2008)
* No Light (2008)

Compilations|

* Passive Me, Aggressive You (Remixes & B-Sides) (2013)
* A Still Heart (2018)

Video albums|

* One Temporary Escape (2013)

Singles|

* "Young Blood"
* "Punching in a Dream"
* "Hearts Like Ours"
* "Higher"

Songs|

* "A Stillness"
* "I Kill Giants"

Related articles|

* Discography

*[add.]: additional producer
*[Ref.]: References
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