The Highest
The Highest is the first Japanese EP by the Chinese boy band WayV. It was released on digitally August 8, 2024 and physically on September 25, 2024 through their Japanese record label Avex Trax. The EP comprises six songs, including the lead single, "Go Higher". It is the group's second consecutive release without the participation member Winwin, who was on hiatus from the group due to schedule conflicts with his solo activities. The album was a commercial success, debuting at number-one on the Oricon Albums Chart.
Background and release
In early May 2024, SM Entertainment confirmed that WayV planned to release their first Japanese EP in the third quarter of the year. On July 2, the EP was officially announced, with SM Entertainment and Avex Trax announcing that The Highest would be released on September 25, 2024. The EP was later released digitally on August 8, with the physical release in Japan occurring on September 25. A music video for lead single "Go Higher" was released concurrently with the physical version of the album.Promotion
To promote the EP, the group embarked on their first full concert tour On the Way, which began in Nagoya on August 17, with further stops in Kobe and Tokyo before continuing internationally.Commercial performance
Within Japan, The Highest debuted at number one on both the Oricon Albums Chart and the Oricon Combined Albums Chart for the week ending September 29, selling 62,748 copies in its first week. On the Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart, the EP debuted at number two.As of October 2024, the EP has sold 70,065 copies.