Enter Shikari have dropped the optimistic new single ‘Higher Ground’ in a new surprise release – just days after announcing an upcoming hiatus.
The new single arrives today (Wednesday October 7) and marks the first new music from the band since they surprise released their latest album ‘Lose Your Self’ earlier this year.
Written around the same time as the songs on that album, ‘Higher Ground’ was put to one side and finished by Enter Shikari over the summer – and it captures the message of taking a step back from personal problems and opting to put forward more understanding and optimism instead.
“I got to get to higher ground/ to spread the love around/ I’ve got to stop this heart attack/ and take the future back,” Reynolds sings in the subdued introduction, before the song catapults into Enter Shikari’s distinctive heavy, lively sound.
“Our music has often been about zooming out. Looking at the bigger picture on things gives us perspective, clarity, and often a strange calm in today’s relentless and difficult times,” the singer shared.
“‘Higher Ground’ is about just how pivotal taking the broad perspective is. Whether in our personal lives or when looking at the biggest problems that humanity faces, we often gain clarity and see connections that were previously hidden when we find time to zoom out.”
The new single arrives as Enter Shikari recently confirmed plans to go on an indefinite hiatus at the end of 2027.
They shared the news shortly after Reynolds posted a video, explaining the band’s lack of activity in 2026; saying he’d “been going through a lot of adversity which has brought my capacity to zero”, citing burnout, OCD and nervous system sensitisation.
In the statement, Enter Shikari said they had no plans beyond the end of next year, when they’ll “fall dormant as a recording and performing entity”.
Before they take the break, however, they will play some intimate warm-up shows for this month, ahead of their biggest-ever UK and European tour in November (find any remaining tickets here).
Discussing next month’s arena tour, Enter Shikari said they’re focused on making the trek the “absolute best it can be”, and they also teased that they’d been “working on some bits of new music, which you should get to hear sooner rather than later, along with another thing we’ve just finished filming”.
Speaking to NME in April, Reynolds teased a “new” live production for Enter Shikari’s huge UK tour. “We’ve been so focused on the album that we haven’t even dared to open that thought process yet!” he told us. “Luckily, when you have the opportunity to do two nights at Ally Pally, you know that you can bring a lot to the table.
As for 2027, they have booked some festival dates in mainland Europe and North America, and plan to announce some US shows for January. Enter Shikari will celebrate the 20th anniversary of ‘Take To The Skies’, while marking 10 years of ‘The Spark’ and 15 years of ‘A Flash Flood Of Colour’.
