British pop artist Ellie Goulding and American producer extraordinaire Diplo collaborate on “Close to Me,” which also features rapper/singer Swae Lee.

“So don’t let me down / Keep me in trouble / Born to be wild / Out in the jungle.” British pop artist Ellie Goulding (“Anything Could Happen” and “Love Me Like You Do”) returns with a new single, “Close to Me.” Goulding isn’t in this thing alone though – she works alongside producer extraordinaire Diplo.  That formidable duo brings in a featured guest, the ever ubiquitous Swae Lee of Rae Sremmurd fame.  The results are positive overall.

“Close to Me” benefits from being sound overall.  The production suits Ellie Goulding and Swae Lee perfectly.  Diplo doesn’t handle such duties all by himself – he works with a team including Illya, Alvaro, and Bas van Daalen. No wonder the sound itself is ‘lit.’  Also lit are the vocals.  Goulding is blessed with a beautiful, utterly distinct voice, which continues to shine throughout “Close to Me.” As for Lee, he always brings his own brand of uniqueness and distinction, and his second verse is no different.  That said, for all his smoothness and suaveness, he’s a bit more profane in this setting (“I had to cut my bitch off, she bein’ stubborn / I make it known I f**k with you, not undercover.”).  Expectedly, the chorus is the centerpiece of “Close to Me”:

“And I don’t wanna be somebody without your body

Close to me

And if it wasn’t you, I wouldn’t want anybody

Close to me

‘Cause I’m an animal, animal

Like animal, like you

And I don’t wanna be somebody without your body

Close to me

Close to me.”

Final Thoughts

All in all, “Close to Me” is an enjoyable, pleasant collaboration between Ellie Goulding, Diplo, and Swae Lee.  No, this isn’t a game changer, but it’s definitely worth spinning.

Ellie Goulding x Diplo • Close to Me (Ft. Swae Lee) – Single • Polydor • Release: 10.24.18

Photo Credits: Polydor