- 2024-09-23
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MUSIC
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Keith Urban Releases New Album “HIGH”
Australian singer-songwriter Keith Urban released his 12th studio album “HIGH” on September 20, 2024 via Hit Red Records and Capitol Records Nashville.
It is his first album in four years since the 2020 album “The Speed of Now Part 1”.
He started to record the album in 2022 and worked with producers the likes of Ben Stennis, Dann Huff, Eren Cannata, Greg Wells, Marc Scibilia, Michael Tyler, Mike Elizondo, Sam Sumser, Sean Small and Thomas Archer.
The album comprises a 12-track, featuring collaboration with American country music singer-songwriter Lainey Wilson.
Keith Urban said of the album, “I've always been drawn toward the subject of living in the moment, because it's all there is, and it's hard to do. And these days with so much 'content' flying at us, it can feel like drinking from a fire hose.”
He continued, “What makes you 'high' can mean whatever you want it to mean. It might be physical, spiritual, herbal, meditative, chemical or musical, but it's definitely a place of utopia. For me it's my family, my friends, and this rollercoaster musical journey I'm on. Playing guitar, writing songs and the place where I always feel high - playing live. Every night I get a chance to bring an energy and a release to people.”
He added, “At the time I was on tour. I'd do a concert, go back to Nashville to record, do a concert, and come back to record, and over again. So, I thought I'd call the album 615. That'd keep me on track - focused and disciplined. There was no continuity. The songs didn't work well together. I learned that what I thought was a framework to create within, turned out to be musically limiting.”- Keith Urban shared on social media, “Life is about contrasts - highs, lows, confidence, insecurity, love found, love lost, clarity, blurry, disciplined, and then the next minute, couldn't care less. Sexy, warm summers and lonely, cold winters. This album flows with all of these in various ways.”
He continued, “Out of all of the things that have changed in my life, one has been a constant. I love making music. The feeling of writing a song that has real magic in it, bringing that song to life in the studio, and then playing it on stage and watching complete strangers sing every word. It's like walking on the moon (not that I've done that YET, but an astronaut hasn't stood on stage and shredded either so....) My desire is for the 'flow state,' and that's what happened when we started this album HIGH. It just FLOWED and I feel the spirit of the whole album really reflects that. I hope you feel that too.” - He added, “To everyone involved with this album: I'm so grateful for each and every one of you. You all brought your mad skills and passion to this and helped me reach for being a better songwriter, producer, and guitarist every step of the way. Amidst the entire process of writing, recording, and creating this album, I never lost sight of the fact that we PLAY music - I PLAY guitar, we PLAY a show, and so we PLAYED and had a blast. That's the spirit threading all of these songs together !”
Keith Urban explained about some track for the album.
“STRAIGHT LINE”
“'Straight Line' is the perfect first track off my album because it's a song born of wanting to break out of routine and feeling like somewhere along the line, life lost some color and excitement -'You and me used to be like a year-round summer...' This song is about getting it back again - a message of taking back your life and driving out from under the dark cloud. If you've seen us in concert, I hope this track gives you that same liberated feeling..
While 'Straight Line's' lyrics are about being stuck and trying to break out of the monotony, the melody and energy are a boulevard of nothing but green lights. Every song on this album - even the ballads - carries an energy and a life force that became a very strong through line. I hope you feel it. I'm so excited for everyone to hear the whole thing.”
“MESSED UP AS M”
“Most of us have been in dysfunctional relationships before, where there's not a lot of compatibility, except for that one area where it's so good you put up with all the rest. A phone call or a night out and you're right back where you shouldn't be.”
“WILDSIDE”
“She's the principal of a school by day, all prim and proper. (Joan Cusack's character in the 2003 film 'School of Rock') And then, a few tequilas at night and all bets are off.”
“GO HOME W U” with Lainey Wilson
Keith Urban: “I wrote 'Go Home W U' in 2020 with Breland, Sam [Sumser] and Sean [Small]. We had a blast writing it. It started out as a late-night drum loop, I grabbed a bass guitar and started playing a simple recurring bass line. Before we knew it, we were writing a chorus that could be sung by any drunk person in any bar anywhere in the world. A friend of mine suggested the idea of making the song a duet and I immediately thought of Lainey. Besides the fact that I love her voice, she's got the swagger and attitude that fit so well with the song.”
Lainey Wilson: “Keith has been someone in the industry I've taken notes from for a while now. From watching him at CMA Fest every year growing up to hearing the way he treats people up and down Music Row, he has taught me a lot. He's a genuine supporter of mine and I am honored I get to continue to learn from one of the best.”
“HEART LIKE A HOMETOWN”
“When I was a kid, our family moved around a lot. By the 5th grade I'd been in four schools and lived in nine different houses. So, a 'hometown' felt more about my family, and a place inside of me, somewhere I could find my center. It's a theme that's always spoken to me. Songs like Don Williams' 'If Hollywood Don't Need You' and Glen Campbell's 'Country Boy (You Got Your Feet in LA)' and a song I recorded on my FUSE album, 'Come Back To Me.' Those songs and this one all share a similar feeling, a kind of grounded safety, familiarity and a place where I can always find ME.” - source : Apple Music
