Diplo & HUGEL, Stay High | Song Review

DJ/producers Diplo and HUGEL tap London-based singer/songwriter Julia Church for the assist on the ‘high’ flying single, “Stay High.”

“I gotta stay high all the time / To keep you off my mind.” Oh, snap , Julia Church! Church serves as the angelic songstress on “Stay High”, a single credited to DJ/producers Diplo (Thomas Wesley Pentz) and HUGEL.  It should be noted that “Habits (Stay High)” is one of the best-known songs by Swedish pop standout, Tove Lo, and she is sampled on “Stay High.”  That makes sense that she’s credited as a writer, particularly given the fact some lyrics are lifted directly from the original. Both Diplo and HUGEL produce the record alongside Maesic.  Expectedly, the DJs kill it on the backdrop as the production is super slick – idiomatic of dance to the nth degree. “Stay High” is anchored by an incredible beat with no shortage of stuttering rhythms .  Additionally, the keys and synths are lit .

Beyond the picturesque instrumental, Julia Church deserves ample credit for her performance.  Her vocals are stunning, riding the production like a champ.  The lyrics aren’t deep, but that goes with the territory of a dance record.  In the verse, she repeats over and over, “Stayin’ in my play pretend, where the fun ain’t got no end / Can’t go home alone again, need someone to numb the pain.” The feeling is relatable if nothing else.  All in all, “Stay High” is quite the vibe.  It’s not life changing dance music, but it certainly is a playlist enhancement, particularly given its release in late Fall. Notably, there is an additional, intriguing mix, dubbed “Stay High [VIP]”.

Diplo & HUGEL (Ft. Julia Church) • “Stay High” • Higher Ground • 11.24.23

[: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; Higher Ground; OpenClipart-Vectors, PIRO via Pixabay]