Kevin Bronson on September 17th, 2019

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Ever since the middle of last decade, when he was a fresh-faced surfer/skater kid from southern Orange County fronting the indie-rock band the Shys, singer-songwriter Kyle Krone has a knack for making classic rock sound fresh. And so it is with Krone’s new single “Higher,” a funky, dancefloor-ready tune that could be a jingle for a mood enhancement drug.

“Higher” is the follow-up to Krone’s second full-length, “Sea Level,” which was (finally) officially released in February (it was finished and ready in 2015). His first album, “For Those Who Think Young,” came out in 2012, building on a catalog that began with the Shys’ two albums (the first, “Astoria,” was released in 2004 on Sire Records) and two EPs.

Krone has been busy working as a co-writer and recently delved into production, working with Wes Chiller and Jolene Dixon.

On “Higher,” you almost feel as if the surf is always up in San Clemente.

It’s all about “the idealistic desires we all experience on some level and overcoming the fears and barriers that hold us back from achieving or pursuing our dreams,” Krone says. “Keith Haring said, ‘Art should be something that liberates your soul, provokes the imagination and encourages people to go further.’ That sentiment strikes a chord with me and the song deals with the idea that a lot of what we as humans are fearful of isn’t indeed all that scary, the idea of pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone to experience something more valuable and enriching, of pursuing your dreams and taking yourself and those around you to a better place. The song paints a visual picture of what that idealized life looks and feels like to me. It’s also designed to be enjoyed in a more passive, carefree way in the spirit of joy and celebration.”

||| Stream: “Higher”

||| Previously: “Vanilla Sun,” “Afterglow,” “For Those Who Think Young”