By Ayo Lawal
There are songs you hear, and then there are songs you feel. Phoebe’s latest single, “Closer,” falls beautifully into the latter. The first note drifts in, soft and sure, and suddenly the noise of the day melts away, leaving only the warmth of her voice and the steady heartbeat of a melody that feels both familiar and new.
But “Closer” isn’t just a love song. It’s a longing for connection, for comfort, for that rare feeling of being completely seen. Phoebe takes something universal and turns it into something intimate. Her voice doesn’t just tell the story; it lives inside it.
The first time I listened, it was late — city quiet, phone screen dimmed, and the world just a little slower. There was something hypnotic about it. The soft, soulful R&B rhythm felt like a gentle tide pulling me in. Then came the hook that addictive “bum bum yeah, bum bum bum yeah” refrain: simple, honest, and impossible not to hum along to. It’s the kind of melody that sneaks into your bones without asking permission.
The next morning, I played it again. Different mood, same magic. The song that lulled me to sleep now had me ready for the day. That’s the beauty of “Closer” — it shape-shifts with your emotions. Night or day, solitude or company, it finds its place.
Lyrically, it’s tender and unguarded. Phoebe sings,
“Baby, your name is my heartbeat / Can’t get you off repeat / Late night, early morning / For each love that I need.”
There’s no pretence in those words — just vulnerability. She isn’t performing affection; she’s surrendering to it. And then the chorus arrives, not with fireworks, but with feeling — her voice gliding effortlessly over the melody until words give way to that soft, rhythmic hum. It’s less of a chorus, more of a confession you can’t quite put into words.
Sonically, “Closer” carries the soul of classic R&B but breathes with the pulse of modern Afrosoul. It’s smooth without slipping into sleepy, emotional, without the weight of melancholy. The production is clean and uncluttered — warm chords, gentle percussion, and layered harmonies that leave space for her voice to shine. And she knows exactly what to do with that space. The way she stretches certain words feels like she’s holding on to a feeling she’s not ready to let go of.
What’s remarkable is how inclusive the song feels. It could soundtrack a late-night text to someone you miss or a quiet moment spent alone. It’s for lovers, dreamers, and anyone who has ever longed for something — or someone—that makes them feel alive.
When I shared it with a few friends, they all had the same reaction. One called it “a hug in a melody.” Another said it felt like that soft rush when someone you love brushes past you. Phoebe’s voice doesn’t feel distant or produced to perfection — it sits close, intimate, almost whispering.
Maybe I’m biased — I’ve always had a soft spot for songs that make you feel something. But there’s a sincerity here that’s impossible to ignore. “Closer” doesn’t try too hard; it simply exists, effortlessly beautiful.
With earlier hits like “Attention,” “EarCandy,” “Lagos Baddie,” “Scream,” and “Paradise,” Phoebe has proven she knows how to make music that connects. But “Closer” feels like a deeper dive — personal, vulnerable, and self-assured. It’s the sound of an artist growing into her truth.
