The Format shares new single, ‘The Bar Is Set So Low’

Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 1:34 AM

After putting out their first record in 20 years, The Format has now released one more song. The track is called "The Bar Is Set So Low" and was initially written during the sessions for said comeback album, Boycott Heaven. "At the time I was [...]

After putting out their first record in 20 years, The Format has now released one more song.

The track is called "The Bar Is Set So Low" and was initially written during the sessions for said comeback album, Boycott Heaven.

"At the time I was listening to a lot of The Proclaimers, and the general idea was to have a song kinda in the same vein as 'I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)' but instead of a stomping love song, I wanted it to be a stomping song about how awful this country treats its immigrants (legal or 'illegal')," says frontman Nate Ruess.

The Format is now releasing the song following the shooting and killing of two U.S. citizens by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.

"While I always assumed the song would reappear in one way or another, I was hoping it wasn't gonna be under these type of circumstances," Ruess says. "But since [multi-instrumentalist] Sam [Means] and I first started floating the idea of bringing The Format back to life, we told ourselves that it was necessary for us to try and do more good with whatever platform we would be given- and while we happen to have a lot of big plans in that regard for the near future- we really want to be able to help right now. Like right at this very moment."

"The Bar Is Set So Low" is out now on Bandcamp. Proceeds will be donated to Immigrant Rapid Response, Immigrant Defense Network, Advocates for Immigrants Rights and Latino Memphis.

Boycott Heaven was released in January. It includes the single "Holy Roller."

The Format will launch a U.S. tour in March.

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