Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Noah Cyrus have reunited for “High and Sad,” a newly recorded duet that transforms one of Franklin’s most personal songs into a moving collaboration rooted in friendship, healing, and emotional honesty. Available now on all streaming platforms, the new version arrives as Noah Cyrus continues touring North America with Alex Warren while Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines prepare to launch their first-ever headlining tour.
Originally released earlier this year by Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines, “High and Sad” explores the emotional aftermath of using distraction to avoid difficult feelings. Built around the refrain, “high and sad, feeling good and feeling bad,” the song blends Americana, folk, roots music, and modern production elements into the signature sound Franklin has been developing ahead of the band’s debut album.
The new recording adds Noah Cyrus’ unmistakable vocal style to the song, creating a conversational duet that deepens its themes of vulnerability, self-reflection, and shared experience. Written by Franklin Jonas and Chris Gelbuda, the track was produced by Franklin Jonas, with Ryan Nasci serving as vocal producer and mixing engineer. Organic instrumentation, including banjo, mandolin, piano, acoustic guitar, and subtle synthesizers, gives the collaboration a warm, timeless quality while allowing both artists’ performances to remain at the center.
The collaboration came together naturally after Noah Cyrus contacted Franklin to tell him how much she connected with the original recording. That conversation led the longtime friends back into the studio, where they reunited with Ryan Nasci to record a new version together.
Their creative partnership stretches back nearly two decades. Franklin Jonas and Noah Cyrus first worked together as child actors on the English-language dub of Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo, a connection that continues to influence their friendship today. Their reunion arrives as Ponyo is once again receiving renewed attention through a dedicated exhibition at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. During the recording sessions, the pair also commemorated their friendship by getting matching Ponyo tattoos, honoring the film that first brought them together.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Franklin Jonas describes recording with Noah as both a creative reunion and a healing experience, noting that their lives have remained connected for years before finally intersecting again in the studio. Noah echoes that sentiment, describing Franklin as one of the few people who has always understood her experiences and calling the collaboration a celebration of a friendship that has endured for nearly 20 years.
The release arrives during a particularly active year for both artists.
Noah Cyrus is currently supporting Alex Warren on the North American leg of the Finding Family on the Road World Tour, introducing audiences to songs from her acclaimed sophomore album, I WANT MY LOVED ONES TO GO WITH ME. Rooted in Americana, indie folk, and country influences, the album further established Noah as one of contemporary roots music’s most distinctive voices. She also recently reunited with her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, and brother Braison Cyrus for the family collaboration “On Our Way Along,” continuing a creative period centered on deeply personal storytelling.
Meanwhile, Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines are preparing for their First of Many Tour, their first national headlining run, beginning August 8 in Nashville before traveling across the United States through October. The tour will bring the band’s growing catalog of Americana-inspired songs to audiences in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Denver, and numerous additional cities as Franklin continues building toward the release of the group’s debut album in early 2027.
Although Franklin Jonas is widely recognized as the youngest member of the Jonas family, Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines has quickly developed its own artistic identity. Rather than leaning on polished pop production, the project embraces emotionally driven songwriting, folk storytelling, and organic instrumentation while incorporating subtle contemporary textures that distinguish the band’s evolving sound.
For Noah Cyrus, “High and Sad” continues an artistic direction that has increasingly favored intimate songwriting and Americana influences over conventional pop. Her collaboration with Franklin feels less like a guest feature than two longtime friends telling the same story from different perspectives.
With “High and Sad,” Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines and Noah Cyrus deliver a collaboration that feels authentic rather than nostalgic. Built on decades of friendship and shared creative history, the duet offers a thoughtful reinterpretation of one of Franklin’s strongest songs while highlighting two artists whose musical paths continue to evolve toward honest, emotionally resonant storytelling.
Featured image credit: Franklin Jonas
