"High" is the fourth and final studio album by Scottish band The Blue Nile, released on August 30, 2004. The production of the album was protracted with vocalist David Sylvian and keyboardist Björk reportedly involved at different stages of completion. Its development took seven years due to multiple reasons, including A&M Records' sale in 1999 and legal issues with the new ownership, and frontman and songwriter Paul Buchanan suffering health problems.
The album includes eight tracks with the singles "I Would Never" and "She Saw the World". The music of "High" has been described as characterized by sparse arrangements and frontman Paul Buchanan's signature crooning.
The lyrical concerns of the album involve love, loss, alienation, and the passage of time. On one hand, it was praised for its timeless quality, with some critics commenting that it sounded like no time had passed since their previous album, "Peace at Last".
Upon release, the album received positive reviews from critics, with many highlighting the band's uncomplicated but profound lyrics, Buchanan's emotive voice, and the understated but effective arrangements. Yet, compared to the band's previous success, it did not chart as high. Despite that, it marked a fitting end to the band's discography and left a memorable legacy in the genre of sophisti-pop or adult alternative music.
