Watch the video HERE
Rising indie-pop artist Bridges has upped the ante with a bold sonic shift on her new single ‘Close To You’, out today.
Listen to ‘Close To You’ HERE
The second single in Bridges’ upcoming sophomore EP, ‘Close To You’ is an expansive track with dark and brooding undertones, reflecting a career turning point for the up-and-coming Tāmaki Makaurau-based singer and songwriter.
“It's bigger, bolder, more committed to the pop genre, and leans into the drama a whole lot more. It's the kind of music I've always wanted to make. ‘Close To You’ signifies the beginning of that,” says Bridges.
Produced and mixed by the UK-based Roberto Panovski, mastered by US-based Grammy Award-winning Chris Gehringer (Dua Lipa, Harry Styles, Lady Gaga) and supported by NZ on Air, ‘Close To You’ explores Bridges’ experience of romantic love.
“I was trying to figure out how it differs from how I love my friends, which got me thinking about how it's all the smallest moments that amount to such a powerful feeling,” she says.
Working with the critically acclaimed NZ director, Tom Grut, Bridges has visually captured the song’s sentiment with a dreamy, cinematic video. “We filmed it all in the studio, bringing in the grass and the motorcycle, open sky and butterflies - with a little help from visual effects.”
Watch the video HERE
Today’s release builds on a successful few years for Bridges, which has seen her release 2024 single LUNGS, which will sit alongside ‘Close To You’ on her upcoming EP, and 2023’s five-track EP, TWENTY SOMETHING, which included the singles ‘Pills’ and ‘Gone’.
“This is a powerful debut that unveils more depth with each listen, forging a path for Bridges as one of Aotearoa’s most exciting new voices” - Muzic.NZ
“[TWENTY SOMETHING] is a fitting showcase, supported by world-class engineering and production” - NZ Musician
It all points to an exciting year ahead for Bridges, who is quickly earning a reputation as one of Aotearoa’s newest and brightest songwriters and composers. She demonstrates this not only in her own growing catalogue of songs, but her involvement in projects such as the worldwide release of the book ‘Dreamslinger’ (the first of New York Times Bestselling author Graci Kim’s fantasy-fiction trilogy) for which she composed ‘Aria’s Lullaby’, which was printed as sheet music inside the book. Published by Disney, the book is available now in stores HERE.
About Bridges:
Bridges is the artist project of Christchurch-born, Auckland-based songwriter Rachel Hamilton. Her 2023 debut EP was met with acclaim and featured on MTV, Coup de Main, The Hits, Radio Hauraki's Locals Only Podcast, Billie Magazine, RNZ and more. The EP’s NZ On Air-funded singles ‘Pills’ and ‘Misfits’ quickly gained traction; ‘Pills’ being playlisted on Spotify’s ‘Fresh Finds Pop’ (200k), ‘The Local List Aotearoa’ (18k) and ‘Fresh Finds AU & NZ’ (18k). In 2024, Bridges was selected to be mentored by Fazerdaze via the APRA Aotearoa Mentorship Programme; then chosen as a showcasing artist at the 2024 Going Global Music Summit.
Find Bridges:
Facebook / Instagram / Spotify / YouTube / Apple Music / TikTok / Website