Key N Krates Take Us “Higher” With New Single From Forthcoming Album

Today, Toronto-based outfit Keys N Krates officially announce their third studio album, IN:TENSION, a project coming this fall that serves as a union between their lifelong love of house music and their earliest hip-hop origins. The announcement comes alongside the release of a new single, “Higher,” out now via MNRK/Last Gang Records. This new single follows Keys N Krates’ recent string of house singles “Say You Love Me,” “Get Up,” and “What Girls Do,” in addition to their debut on Defected Records, “What You Done” with Rochelle Jordan.

“Higher” captures dance-floor ecstasy in just a little over 3 minutes of upbeat house rhythms, soulful backing vocalizations, and a vocal hook that leaves you with little confusion as to what this song’s purpose is. Embellished with plentiful kick snares and occasional key chords, the track perfectly showcases the signature sounds that Keys N Krates have gained popularity for, which they further showcase in their forthcoming album. A new milestone for the esteemed trio, IN:TENSION encapsulates the true definition of their style better than ever before. Since gaining notoriety during the mid-2010s, then producing more EDM & trap influenced sounds, Keys N Krates have carefully molded their sound to fit their own tastes, and they’ve done so without sacrificing their signature composition of sampling, synths/keys, and percussion.

The album’s title, “IN:TENSION,” has a double meaning for Keys N Krates. It serves as a hyper-focused body of work for the trio, who previously only dabbled in housey, four-on-the-floor production. Now, they hone in and embrace it by channeling their musical passion, citing inspiration from house and garage gurus such as Armand Van Helden and Masters At Work. The title also refers to the intense, energetic nature of the new sound, which will be put on full display during their 16-stop DJ set tour throughout the United States. The IN:TENSION Tour officially kicks off in September, hitting major house/techno-focused cities such as Detroit and Chicago, as well as Seattle, Washington D.C., and more.

Since forming over a decade ago in their native Toronto, Keys N Krates have carved their own path in music, melding the realms of hip-hop, electronic, and beyond. The group — composed of drummer Adam Tune, keyboardist David Matisse, and turntablist Jr. Flo — have built a venerable reputation as one of the leading live electronic acts today on the strength of their onstage instrumentation and energetic sets. With a new vision for what kind of energy they want to stir up on the dancefloor, Keys N Krates will take the stage on the IN:TENSION Tour from behind the decks, delivering DJ sets that mirror the sound of the new album. Check out glimpses from their recent stop at Brooklyn’s Elsewhere rooftop to get a preview of what to expect.

Keys N Krates Upcoming Tour Dates
September 23 – Flash Rooftop, Washington, DC
October 5 – Soundwell, Salt Lake City, UT
October 6 – 45 East, Portland, OR
October 7 – Meow Wolf, Denver, CO
October 13 – Kingdom, Austin, TX
October 14 – Sunbar, Tempe, AZ
October 15 – Hotel Via, San Francisco, CA
October 20 – Meow Wolf, Santa Fe, NM
October 21 – Aura, Kansas City, MO
November 10 – Q Nightclub, Seattle, WA
November 11 – Wild Buffalo, Bellingham, WA
November 17 – El Club, Detroit, MI
November 18 – Sound Bar, Chicago IL
November 30 – It’ll Do, Dallas, TX
December 1 – The Loft, Minneapolis, MN
December 2 – Liquid, Madison, WI