“Closer”
Writer(s): Andrew Taggart, Ashley Frangipane, Shaun Frank, Frederic Kennett, Isaac Slade and Joe King
Original Release Date: July 29, 2016
Like many other people, I’ve had this catchy tune stuck in my head since midsummer—I can’t seem to stop loving it enough to quit constantly playing it around my apartment. Still, a few weeks ago when I found a new take of the song, I couldn’t help but be excited to hear a fresh take.
When the song was released last July, I immediately loved it. With the beachy lyric video, electronic beat in the chorus that I couldn’t resist dancing to, and the throw to Blink 182, it was everything I wanted in a summer soundtrack song. I had no idea that the song would blow up to be so popular in the following months. I wanted to be sick of it because it was playing on the radio about a million times a day, but I was still happy when I heard the opening notes, and always belted along.
I’ve been a sucker for covers for a long time, because I adore the way someone can make me see something completely different in a song I’ve heard over and over. “Closer” was a perfect candidate for a fresh take, so I was really pumped when I saw Against the Current, a band I’ve been meaning to listen to for a while, and Alex Goot, an old favorite of mine, covered it together. They took the song more acoustic than electric, softening it up a bit while using the drum beat to keep the same energy that drew me to the original. And Goot’s piano parts set it apart from the original EDM chorus altogether. It was also great to hear some new harmonies from Costanza and Goot’s entangling vocals.
All in all, it’s really hard for me to choose a favorite. They both encapsulate the fun and nostalgic feeling of summer along with the range of emotions in romance perfectly, while bringing completely different sounds to the table. I think I will stick to the original for mini dance parties in my room for now, but I’ll definitely be checking out more of Against the Current very soon.