"High Life" is a collaborative studio album by British musician Brian Eno and Underworld's frontman Karl Hyde. Released on July 1, 2014, this record was the pair's second collaborative work, following the release of "Someday World" earlier the same year. "High Life" received generally positive reviews and was praised for its unique blend of electronic, experimental, and progressive rock elements.
The seven-track album was recorded following the completion of "Someday World" when the two artists found themselves still brimming with inspiration and ideas. Instead of letting this surge of creativity pass them by, they channeled it into a new album, hence "High Life" came to life.
The album’s name is a play on the 'Afrobeat' genre Highlife. It developed when they continued recording after their first collaboration, "Someday World". The music on the album is described as more developed and features lots of layers. Each track on the album is distinct, yet they all maintain a cohesive sound highlighting the combination of Eno's experimental touch and Hyde's electronic influence. "High Life" fuses experimental rock, upbeat dance music, and harmony-heavy compositions, offering a rich musical journey for listeners.
Notable tracks from the album include the groove-driven "DBF," the sprawling, hypnotic "Lilac," and the ambient piece "Cells & Bells." These show the range of the album from rhythm-intense tracks to more contemplative soundscapes.
