Indie rock trio Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes are bringing fresh emotional depth to their standout 2023 track “After All” with a stunning new reimagined version, titled “After All (Strung Out Version)”, released on Friday, ahead of their upcoming deluxe album “HIGH(er) LIFE”, which drops on June 27, 2025. This acts as the follow-up to their previous single “Keep It Cool”.
Titled the “Strung Out Version”, this reinterpretation transforms the original into an intimate piano and strings arrangement that uncovers new layers of vulnerability and soul. With sweeping strings courtesy of Eleonore Denig and Cara Fox, with the former on violin and viola and the latter on the cello, and guest backing vocals by Whitney Coleman, the track breathes a cinematic softness into what has already become a fan favourite.
Written by Daniel Ellsworth, Marshall Evan Skinner, and Timon Lance Kaple, whilst it was produced by Daniel Ellsworth, “After All (Strung Out Version)” strips the song back, emphasising the piano and strings whilst allowing the vocals to take the central spotlight. Heartfelt and honest from start to finish, the lyrics touch upon personal growth, resilience, and kindness. It discusses life’s challenges, concluding that kindness is what matters most. The softness of this version makes the lyrics feel more poignant in comparison to the original’s drum, keys, and guitar fusion.
The decision to revisit “After All” was inspired by the song’s unexpected virality on TikTok in recent months. Thousands of users gravitated toward the track, pairing it with personal stories of hardship and healing, turning the song into a soundtrack for resilience and reflection. Seeing this organic connection unfold online struck a chord with the band.
“In the past six months, for reasons we’ll never know, the algorithm gods blessed us,” the band shared. “We wanted to breathe some new life into it, and I had always had this sort of string arrangement in my head for a stripped-down-felt piano/strings version of the song.”
The result is a beautifully raw take on a song that already held emotional weight, now enhanced by orchestral textures and a sense of reverence for the experiences it’s become tied to.
The single serves as a preview of what’s to come from “HIGH(er) LIFE”, the expanded version of their 2024 album HIGH LIFE. This deluxe edition includes a previously unreleased track titled “Keep It Cool” and a remix of the title track by producer and artist Kyle Andrews, in addition to the reworked “After All”. The project continues the band’s exploration of existential themes, identity, and connection, presented through an infectious blend of indie rock energy, lush production, and introspective lyrics.
Spectrum Culture previously praised HIGH LIFE as “23 minutes of densely layered, industrially sweetened, highly danceable indie rock, with plenty of hooks,” and “HIGH(er) LIFE” looks set to build on that momentum, offering listeners both something new and something familiar.
Originally formed in Nashville, Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes now operate across the US, bonded by technology and creative chemistry. Their signature sound strikes a balance between upbeat rock and emotional storytelling, and their live performances have earned a reputation for bringing that spirit to the stage.
To celebrate the release of “HIGH(er) LIFE”, the band will headline a special release show in Los Angeles at Healing Force of The Universe on June 28. Tickets are available via DICE.
With this deluxe release, Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes continue to evolve, reflecting both the personal and collective journeys of change, growth, and reconnection. “After All (Strung Out Version)” is a poignant reminder that reinvention doesn’t always mean starting over; sometimes it’s about rediscovering the heart of a song and giving it the space to bloom again.
“After All (Strung Out Version)”, by Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms, via Deer Head Music. Keep a lookout for their forthcoming deluxe album, “HIGH(er) LIFE”, set to be released on June 27, 2025.