Orange & Lemons gives The Carpenters’ “Close To You” a modern, indie pop twist

The award-winning Filipino band will also embark on a global tour across five cities in Asia and North America

Indie pop quartet Orange & Lemons marks the season of romance with a fresh take on The Carpenters’ timeless classic “Close To You.”

Released just in time for Valentine’s Day, the band’s cover brings a modern twist to the iconic track while preserving the original’s emotional essence.

The remake of “Close To You” features subtle upgrades and embellishments from their usual live version.

Clem Castro, the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band, recalls the origins of the cover, which dates back to 1999 when the Bulacan-based band was preparing the material for their debut album, Love In the Land of Rubber Shoes & Dirty Ice Cream. He explains, “I was inspired to create a cover version for live gigs and challenged ourselves to integrate our own sound. It has been a staple since then on our set list. On top of that, I am a huge fan of Burt Bacharach.”