Single Review: Alex Clare – Too Close

25-year-old Londoner Alex Clare is the latest heavily touted name in the seemingly endless line of singers that come out of England’s capital city looking to make a big splash in the music industry.

‘Too Close’ is the latest offering from the man who once reportedly dated the late Amy Winehouse and like she was, is signed to Island Records.

The song has already seem considerable chart success in both the UK and in the States, not hindered by its use in a Microsoft Internet Explorer commercial.
However, taken on purely artistic and not commercial viability the song is a major disappointment. There is no doubt Clare has an impressive, soulful voice that could be captivating in a different setting. But the thick, dubstep style beats and modern production techniques on ‘Too Close’ don’t gel together at all well with Clare’s voice, and unfortunately the track winds up sounding like one of those cheesy, Ayia Napa club tracks that have a soul singer and a chorus tacked onto them to make them chart-worthy.

On this evidence, it appears Clare would be well served to ditch the faux-dubstep beats and flashy studio tricks and make use of his undoubted singing talent in a more organic setting. Going back to his original inspirations (Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway et al) would probably be a major step forward in the long run for him.

‘Too Close’ is available now and Clare is due to release a full-length album in summer 2012.

WDW

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