17 years later, and rock band Citizen is still putting out bangers. Just last month, they dropped a new single titled “Highs and Lows,” which will be included in the upcoming album, Halcyon Blues, set to come out this summer. This new release will be a culmination of their past two decades in the scene, combining parts of themselves over these years into one perfect album. This new track is a celebration of what’s to come, and if the rest is as good as this one, the band must have really cooked in the recording studio. 

“Highs and Lows” is a bolder cut in the alternative sound, building as it goes on. Similarly to how one feels going through highs and lows of life, it leans into that idea. The opening is slower than it kicks in, but then it pauses again. When you really look into the lyrics and how they pair with the tracking, it’s a beautiful match that was very clearly well thought out. I love it when bands really give it their all and are intentional in every single piece of a song. 

You can really feel the emotional intent in the chorus during the lines, “Are you coming clean? Highs and lows.” The way the notes are quicker-paced in the “Are you coming clean?” and then slower, more drawn out to hear the words for “highs and lows.” This will surely be a rock song for the summer as you drive down the highway with windows down — it will definitely be for me anyway.

Citizen also announced they will be hitting the road this summer, and boy, is this tour going to be one to remember. They’re hitting up most of the states, the U.K./Europe, and Australia. I’m pretty sure tickets have been on sale for a few weeks now, so act fast before it sells out!