FRANKLIN JONAS & THE BYZANTINES AND NOAH CYRUS REUNITE FOR NEW COLLABORATION “HIGH AND SAD”

Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines and GRAMMY® nominated singer-songwriter Noah Cyrus release “High and Sad,” a poignant new collaboration that reimagines Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines’ beloved original with Noah’s unmistakable voice and emotional depth. The duet marks a meaningful reunion for the longtime friends, transforming the deeply introspective track into a stirring conversation about vulnerability, healing, and shared experience.
 

Originally released by Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines earlier this year, “High and Sad” explores the moment when the self-medication of avoidance begins to wear off and difficult emotions rise to the surface. Anchored by the haunting refrain, “high and sad, feeling good and feeling bad,” the song blends traditional roots, folk, and Americana instrumentation with modern synthesized textures, creating the signature sonic palette that has quickly become synonymous with Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines.

Penned by Franklin Jonas and Chris Gelbuda, the track was produced by Franklin Jonas, with Ryan Nasci serving as vocal producer and mixing engineer. Featuring organic instrumentation—including banjo, mandolin, piano, guitar, and subtle synth bass—the collaboration expands on the emotional honesty of the original while Noah’s smoky, evocative vocals add an entirely new dimension to its story.

The collaboration came together organically after Noah reached out to Franklin to tell him how much she loved the original song and expressed interest in recording it together. The pair soon reunited in the studio with Ryan Nasci, rekindling a creative partnership that first began years ago when they worked together on the English-language dub of Studio Ghibli’s beloved Ponyo. Their reunion arrives at a moment when the film is once again in the spotlight with a dedicated Ponyo exhibit at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, adding another meaningful layer to the collaboration. During the recording session, Franklin and Noah also commemorated their longtime friendship with matching Ponyo tattoos—a personal tribute to the project that first brought them together.

Speaking on “High and Sad,” Franklin Jonas shares, “Working with Noah is a reunion that is years in the making. Our solar systems have been in orbit for most of our lives and I was so excited when she reached out about adding her beautiful voice to ‘High and Sad.’ She’s one of my oldest friends and getting to work together again has been such a wonderful healing experience.”

Noah Cyrus adds, “I’ve always felt like Frankie understood parts of my life and experiences that very few people ever could. To still have that friendship all these years later, and now be making music together again, feels incredibly special. It’s such a blessing to still have that same person in my life nearly 20 years later—a best friend I can always trust—and I’m so grateful we got to tell that story through ‘High and Sad.'”

The release arrives during an exciting chapter for both artists. Noah Cyrus is currently touring alongside Alex Warren on the North American leg of his Finding Family on the Road World Tour, bringing songs from her critically acclaimed sophomore album, I WANT MY LOVED ONES TO GO WITH ME, to audiences across the country. Rooted in Americana, indie folk, and country music, the album—and its recently released deluxe edition—has further cemented Noah as one of her generation’s most compelling and emotionally resonant voices.

Most recently, Noah joined her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, on the heartfelt duet “On Our Way Along,” the lead single from his latest album THE HILL. The family collaboration also featured her brother Braison Cyrus, who co-wrote and co-produced both the song and the album, making it a particularly meaningful creative milestone for the Cyrus family while continuing Noah’s run of deeply personal, roots-inspired collaborations.

At the same time, Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines are preparing to launch their first-ever headlining First of Many Tour, kicking off August 8 in Nashville and continuing through October. As the band builds momentum toward its forthcoming debut album, “High and Sad” marks another milestone in Franklin’s evolution as a songwriter and artist, while showcasing the project’s distinctive blend of timeless Americana storytelling and modern sonic textures.

Together, Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines and Noah Cyrus have crafted a version of “High and Sad” that feels both intimate and expansive—a testament to enduring friendship, artistic evolution, and the healing power of shared vulnerability.