The Format Releases New Single 'The Bar Is Set So Low'

Proceeds from the song will be donated to organizations supporting immigrant rights and defense.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 11:23pm

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After reuniting and releasing their first album in 20 years, the indie pop band The Format has now put out a new single called 'The Bar Is Set So Low.' Frontman Nate Ruess says the song was originally written during the sessions for their comeback album Boycott Heaven, inspired by listening to The Proclaimers and wanting to create a 'stomping song about how awful this country treats its immigrants.' The band is now releasing the track following recent incidents of violence against immigrants, with all proceeds going to organizations that support immigrant rights and defense.

Why it matters

The Format's decision to release this new song and donate the proceeds to immigrant advocacy groups comes at a time of heightened tensions and violence targeting immigrant communities in the U.S. The band sees this as an opportunity to use their platform to support important causes and enact positive change.

The details

The track 'The Bar Is Set So Low' was initially written during the sessions for The Format's comeback album Boycott Heaven, which was released in January 2026. Frontman Nate Ruess says he was inspired by listening to The Proclaimers and wanted to create a 'stomping song about how awful this country treats its immigrants.' The band is now releasing the song following the recent shooting and killing of two U.S. citizens by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. All proceeds from the song will be donated to Immigrant Rapid Response, Immigrant Defense Network, Advocates for Immigrants Rights and Latino Memphis.

  • The Format released their comeback album Boycott Heaven in January 2026.
  • The new single 'The Bar Is Set So Low' was released on February 7, 2026.

The players

The Format

An indie pop band that recently reunited and released their first album in 20 years.

Nate Ruess

The frontman of The Format who wrote the new single 'The Bar Is Set So Low.'

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What they’re saying

“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').”

— Nate Ruess, Frontman, The Format (95xlive.com)

“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. 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.”

— Nate Ruess, Frontman, The Format (95xlive.com)

What’s next

The Format will launch a U.S. tour in March 2026 in support of their new album Boycott Heaven.

The takeaway

The Format's decision to release a new song and donate the proceeds to immigrant advocacy groups demonstrates how artists can use their platform to support important social causes, especially in times of heightened tensions and injustice targeting vulnerable communities.