Honestly, music industries move so fast that we usually forget an album’s cultural footprint by the time the next tour cycle kicks in. But there is something about The Original High that feels different. Released in 2015, this wasn't just another Adam Lambert record; it was a total pivot. After the glitter-drenched, theatrical camp of For Your Entertainment and the funk-heavy Trespassing, Lambert went for something colder, sleeker, and a lot more vulnerable.
It's been years, yet fans still talk about it like it’s his definitive "grown-up" statement.
The Big Label Breakup and the Risk of The Original High
Most people don't realize how close we came to never getting this album. Before signing with Warner Bros. Records, Adam was with RCA. They wanted him to record a covers album. Adam? He said no. He wanted to write. He wanted to evolve. He basically walked away from a major deal because he wasn't interested in being a human jukebox. That kind of gutsy move is why he ended up in Stockholm, working with the legendary Max Martin and Shellback.
You know Max Martin—the guy behind basically every hit by Britney, Taylor Swift, and Katy Perry. But instead of giving Adam a bubblegum pop makeover, they leaned into something darker. They went for "pop-house." It was moody. It was atmospheric. It was miles away from the "Glambert" persona that everyone expected.
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Why "Ghost Town" Was a Total Cultural Reset
If you were around in 2015, you couldn't escape that whistle. "Ghost Town" was a massive sleeper hit, and for good reason. It’s a weird song! It starts with this dusty, acoustic Americana vibe and then—bam—it drops into a deep house beat that feels like a lonely night in a dark club.
The lyrics are actually pretty grim. He’s singing about Hollywood selling out and Elvis being dead. It’s not exactly "party music," but it worked because it captured a specific kind of disillusionment. It eventually racked up over 135 million views on YouTube and became his biggest hit since "Whataya Want from Me." It proved that he didn't need the glitter to be a star.
Breaking Down the Tracks: More Than Just Radio Hits
The album is surprisingly cohesive. It doesn't jump around like Trespassing did. It stays in this late-night, electronic pocket.
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- The Title Track: "The Original High" is probably the most underrated song in his entire catalog. It’s about that frantic, adult search for the rush you felt when you were younger. That first love, that first success. It’s an anthem for anyone who feels like they’re just chasing ghosts.
- Lucy: This is where his Queen connection comes in. Brian May shows up to provide some gritty guitar work. It’s a rock-dance hybrid that shouldn't work on paper but sounds massive.
- Underground: This is where we get the R&B influences. It’s sultry, stripped back, and shows off a softer side of his voice that he rarely used on American Idol.
- Rumors: Featuring Tove Lo, this track is pure 90s house bliss. It’s catchy, cynical, and feels very "now," even a decade later.
Commercial Wins and Critical Shrugs
The numbers were actually great. The Original High debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200, moving about 42,000 copies in its first week. It was also his first top-10 album in the UK. Critics were mostly on board, with Metacritic giving it a solid 70.
Some critics, like those at The Irish Times, weren't impressed, calling it "neither original nor uplifting." But that’s the point! It wasn't supposed to be uplifting. It was supposed to be a snapshot of someone navigating their 30s in a world that feels increasingly hollow.
The Lasting Legacy of the Era
What really matters is how this album paved the way for everything that came after. Without the success of this darker, more restrained sound, we might not have gotten the psychedelic soul of Velvet or the sheer vocal mastery of High Drama. It was the moment Adam Lambert proved he could be a "serious" pop star without the gimmicks.
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If you haven't listened to it in a while, go back and play "Another Lonely Night." It’s a perfect pop song. It’s sad, it’s danceable, and it’s sung by one of the best vocalists of our generation.
How to Revisit The Original High Today
If you’re a new fan or just a casual listener looking to dive deeper, here is the best way to experience this era:
- Listen to the Deluxe Edition: Tracks like "After Hours" and "Shame" are better than some of the standard album tracks. Don't skip them.
- Watch the "Ghost Town" Music Video: Directed by Hype Williams, it’s a black-and-white masterpiece that perfectly captures the album’s aesthetic.
- Compare it to his Queen Work: Listen to how he uses his voice here versus how he sings "The Show Must Go On." The restraint on this album is a masterclass in vocal control.
- Check out the live acoustic versions: Adam did a series of acoustic sets for this album that really highlight the songwriting beneath the electronic production.
The Original High isn't just a nostalgic trip to 2015. It’s a reminder that even the biggest stars have to fight for their creative voice. It’s an album about the comedown after the party, and honestly? That’s something we can all relate to.