The award-winning Filipino band will also embark on a global tour across five cities in Asia and North America
Orange & Lemons, an indie pop quartet, celebrates the romantic season with a new rendition of The Carpenters’ timeless hit song “Close To You.”
The band’s rendition, which was released in time for Valentine’s Day, gives the classic song a contemporary spin while maintaining the emotional depth of the original.
Compared to their typical live performance, the remake of “Close To You” has a few minor improvements and embellishments.
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
“Close To You” by Orange & Lemons is currently available on all digital music platforms across the globe through Lily Stars Records.
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