Lola Young has taken on The Cure‘s ‘Close To Me’. Check out her version below.
Young recorded the cover of the song, taken from The Cure’s 1985 album ‘The Head on the Door’, for triple j’s Like A Version series.
“It’s just a great song. It’s an incredible song,” she said in a clip explaining her choice of track. “It’s a song that is quite revelationary. Is that a word? Legendary. It’s very interestingly structured. And it’s the Cure.”
The south London singer offers a meditative, stripped-back take on the song, accompanied by a simple, psychedelic guitar. Check it out below.
Last summer, Young’s debut album was given a glowing five-star review from NME, and described as “the most distinctive and daring realisation of her experimental tendencies yet”.
“Young’s first full-length album moves with an auteur-like touch to its production; opulent soul set pieces stand tall next to raw, scratchy indie tunes, all of which see the south Londoner face desire in its many complications. It’s a collection that feels equally empowered and tormented,” it read.
“Though Young’s specific type of yearning and bluntness may be indebted to SZA, she possesses the genuine star power to further develop an already strong artistic identity. This is a record that always remains sure of itself, even in its deepest, darkest moments.”
Around the same time, Young spoke to NME as part of The Cover, and shed light on the diaristic approach she has to songwriting. “I think any artist where [they’re] not honest [in their lyrics], you see straight through,” she said.
“I’ve learned that songs are perfect for you when you’ve written them, and then they’re gonna connect with people, but, for you, it changes. The album is gritty, real and raw. It’s honest and that’s what I want to be and what I am at the moment.”
To celebrate her time as Cover star, Young also put together a playlist titled ‘Songs For When I Want To Feel Sexy’, which featured tracks from Doja Cat, Gwen Stefani, Willow, Amaarae and more. Check it out here.