Just days after Enter Shikari announced they'll be going on an indefinite hiatus by the end of 2027, the band threw everyone a curveball — the new single "Higher Ground" dropped with zero warning on Wednesday, October 7th, marking the UK band's first new track since the surprise release of their album "Lose Your Self" earlier this year.
"Higher Ground" was actually written around the same time as the tracks on "Lose Your Self," but got shelved until the band finally finished it off this summer. The song's about stepping back from personal struggles to see things from a wider, more understanding, and more optimistic angle. Frontman Rou Reynolds opens with a somewhat somber delivery: "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," before the track shifts into Enter Shikari's signature heavy, tension-packed sound.
Reynolds had this to say about the track: "Our music is often about 'zooming out.' Looking at things from a bigger picture gives us perspective, clarity, and even a strange sense of calm in these chaotic and difficult times. 'Higher Ground' is about just how crucial that zooming out can be — whether it's our personal lives or the biggest problems facing humanity, taking the time to step back often lets us see connections that were hidden before."
The new track's timing lines up right after the band confirmed their indefinite hiatus plans. Reynolds had previously released a video explaining why Enter Shikari's activity dropped off sharply in 2026, saying he'd "gone through a lot of adversity that brought me down to zero," pointing to burnout, OCD, and nervous system sensitization as the causes. The band followed up with a statement saying they have no further plans beyond the end of next year, at which point they'll "go dormant as a recording and performing unit."
Before officially taking a break, Enter Shikari will play a few small warm-up shows this month, followed by the biggest UK and European tour in the band's history starting in November. Speaking on the tour, the band said they're going all out to make it "the best it can possibly be," while also revealing they've been working on some new music that "should be out pretty soon," plus a freshly-wrapped project they haven't shared details on yet.
As for 2027, Enter Shikari has already confirmed several festival appearances across Europe and North America, with US dates set to be announced in January next year. That same year will also mark several milestones for the band: the 20th anniversary of their debut album "Take To The Skies," the 10th anniversary of "The Spark," and the 15th anniversary of "A Flash Flood Of Colour."
