The Highest is the first Japanese and sixth overall EP by the Chinese boy band WayV, the China-based sub-unit of boygroup NCT. 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".[1] 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.[2][3]
In early May 2024, SM Entertainment confirmed that WayV planned to release their first Japanese EP in the third quarter of the year.[4] 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.[1] The EP was later released digitally on August 8[5], 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.
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.[3]
