It was released on October 14, 2016, through Debay Sounds and Capitol Records, as the lead single from her extended play (EP), Now That the Light Is Fading (2017).

In an interview with Alex Siber of Pigeons and Planes, Rogers said about the song: "The music, in a lot of ways, reflects this meditative quality I get from hiking and dancing.

[5] Chris DeVille of Stereogum called it "a gorgeous thing to behold: thumping acoustic guitar figures, a crisply minimal disco drum beat, eerie background noise, thunderous bass, and twinkling pianos, all topped off by Grimes-reminiscent high-end vocal work.

[7] Alex Siber of Pigeons and Planes said "what sounds like a soft-spoken soul begins to soar, liberated, as the record progresses.

Rogers breathes the crisp air of glacial plains, fueling a voice that's at once as delicate and powerful as the nature she describes and samples in the track's backbone.

Each component of 'Alaska' pulses with the same heartbeat, amplifying itself like an echo chamber in which dancing is required and sadness is left at the door.

Rachel Sonis of Idolator described the video: "The clip sees the singer dancing in the woods during what appears to be dusk.

The image then switches to a full-on evening dance party amid the trees, as Rogers and a bunch of dancers proceed to effortlessly execute joyous choreography before she disappears into a dark field.