While we already have a pile of 2025 releases in various states of drafts (Because starting pieces when they come in as opposed to procrastinating is a part of a belated resolution we didn’t follow through on last year), we couldn’t think of a better way to start off our coverage of the upcoming year than with a look at the new single from Happy Little Clouds because if this is a sign of what’s to come sonically in 2025 then we wanted to make sure to inform ASAP as possible so y’all can share the excitement!
It’s never too early to start our year end round up draft and it’s songs like “Higher” that compel us to start that 2025 list before 2024 has even bowed out. Yes, kids. It’s that good. If you’ve followed along with the journey that HLC took listeners on in 2024 then you have some sort of an idea on what the trio of Jac Mestel, Derek Bergstrom, and Jess Townsend are up to but that’s where you’d be wrong because “Higher” is both nothing and everything you’d expect from the self-proclaimed “Rainbow rust, power pop” outfit.
Anyway! “Higher” starts out like a rockin’ little number that brings to mind Black Taxi (You should dive into 2012’s We Don’t Know Any Better if you don’t know it already) that’s sort of an extension of what recent singles delivered then completely goes off the rails in the best way possible. And by “off the rails” we mean gets even MORE rockin’ with this gorgeous Groove-laden rhythmic parry between Bergstrom’s bass and Townsend’s drumming that’s both playful and powerful with an effervescent energy all its’ own. Add in Mestel’s phenomenal vocal cadence in the quicker bits that exquisitely sashays into another HLC harmonious chorus alongside Jac’s sick strumming on the guitar and “Higher” is EASILY the best song to kick off your 2025.
“Higher” arrives on January 3rd through The Sound Cove and if you head to the spots conveniently linked here and here you can secure your copy the moment it drops! For more from Happy Little Clouds, including news on more new music in 2025 along with upcoming shows and more, hop on the information superhighway and head here, here, or here.