George Michael fans shared their excitement after hearing the late singer’s new track This Is How (We Want You To Get High) for the first time.
Michael started work on a new album in 2012 before he died at the age of 53 in 2016.
This Is How has now been released with the permission of the former Wham! star’s estate and features in the finale of new film Last Christmas, starring Emilia Clarke.
The track debuted on Zoe Ball’s BBC Radio 2 breakfast show on Wednesday morning, with the DJ admitting that the song had "made [her] really emotional" and describing it as "absolutely beautiful."
Fans quickly posted their positive reactions on social media, while noting that it felt “bittersweet” to hear Michael’s new material.
The star’s supporters praised the “upbeat” single as “a great dance track” that made them feel “like he’s still with us.”
Others remarked on the icon’s “incredible voice” and hailed him as a “genius writer.”
Standard Online’s review describes the track as “the sound of a fabled singer finding his place in the modern pop landscape,” providing “a heartbreaking taste of what could have been.”
Michael started working on This Is How in 2012. It was recorded at Air Studios in London, with finishing touches then added late in 2015 during the star’s final recording sessions.
The song marks the first release of original material from Michael since 2012, when he launched the track White Light.
Michael’s family said that they hope his fans will “rejoice in hearing this great new song” which was written with “immense passion and pride.”
They added: “This new track we proudly send as his gift to you this season to bring you all love and festive joy."
The song will appear in upcoming film Last Christmas, which was inspired by Wham!’s festive classic and has a soundtrack featuring music from Michael’s career.
This Is How (We Want You To Get High) is out now.
