Indie pop quartet Orange & Lemons marks the season of romance with a fresh take on The Carpenters’ timeless classic “Close To You.”
Released just in time for Valentine’s Day, the band’s cover brings a modern twist to the iconic track while preserving the original’s emotional essence.
The remake of “Close To You” features subtle upgrades and embellishments from their usual live version.
Clem Castro, the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band, recalls the origins of the cover, which dates back to 1999 when the Bulacan-based band was preparing the material for their debut album, Love In the Land of Rubber Shoes & Dirty Ice Cream. He explains, “I was inspired to create a cover version for live gigs and challenged ourselves to integrate our own sound. It has been a staple since then on our set list. On top of that, I am a huge fan of Burt Bacharach.”
According to Clem, one of the major distinctions from the original version is the absence of the transposition, which sets this cover apart from others. The band reinterprets “Close To You” with keyboard elements that elevate the track’s melodic appeal.
“The guitar solo rolling bass lines, and drum pattern is definitely O&L,” Clem adds. “The build up at the end was eargasm for us. It is safe to say, this is infinitely different from any version you can find on streaming sites.”
In addition to the release of “Close To You,” the Hanggang Kailan chart-toppers are gearing up for an international tour. The band will visit five cities across Asia and North America, bringing their beloved hits, fresh tracks, and rarities to fans worldwide.
- March 2: Singapore
- May 30: Toronto, Canada
- May 31: New York, USA
- June 6: San Francisco, USA
- June 7: Los Angeles, USA
Orange & Lemons’ “Close To You” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Lily Stars Records.