Credit: Karolynn Mattern Photography

Kayla Williams – “Come Close” (Single Review + Five Questions With)

Jenna Melanson·September 23, 2023

Calgary’s Kayla Williams Shares New Single, “Come Close”

Calgary, AB-based artist Kayla Williams unveiled her latest single, “Come Close” on September 8, and although Summer may have been ending, this anthem will make it feel like Summer all year round.

The single, which is the second release from her RETRODELIA EP

Kayla shares,

“Musically it was inspired by my favourite sub-genre of oldies called “yacht rock” – soft ‘70s artists like Steely Dan, TOTO and Hall Oates were my inspiration. I wanted to write a really upbeat, catchy and danceable tune with a retro feel but through a pop filter. Lyrically it’s about those good chemicals you get flooded with when someone you’re into comes close. It’s lovey dovey, flirty and one of the most feel-good songs I’ve ever written.”

Review

“Come Close” delivers a delightful blend of smooth, melodic tunes and lyrical themes that orbit around the realms of love, desire, and the electrifying sensation of being in the presence of someone truly extraordinary. The song’s deceptively simple lyrics pack a punch, vividly capturing the whirlwind of emotions that surge when in the proximity of an irresistible attraction.

Delve deeper, and you’ll uncover metaphors like “silver and gold” and “hot and cold,” which serve as the lyrical alchemy, endowing the object of affection with a dual essence of value and vibrancy.

The chorus is an absolute showstopper, with its relentless repetition of “when you come close” and the unforgettable “whoa” that punctuates the backdrop, ensuring it will be etched in your mind long after the music fades.

“Come Close” doesn’t just find its place; it stakes a claim in the hearts and playlists of connoisseurs of captivating, feel-good music. It’s a musical journey that will leave you utterly captivated and yearning for more.

Watch the video for “Come Close” below and learn more about Kayla via our Five Questions With segment.

Care to introduce yourself to our readers?

Kayla Williams here, a yacht-pop songstress from Calgary, Alberta. I’m a pop artist who’s incredibly inspired by the soft ’70s and yacht-rock royalty like Boz Scaggs, TOTO, Hall & Oates, and Steely Dan.

Tell us a bit about your most recent release.

My new single”Come Close” is off of my upcoming EP, RETRODELIA. It’s probably my favourite track on the EP and definitely the most upbeat and danceable song I’ve ever written! The song is about that new feeling when you fall for someone and you want to be around them and think about them all the time, it’s super flirty and fun. The bass groove and guitar hook really brought a lot of life to the track and I feel it’s one of the best vocal performances I’ve recorded. We shot a music video for it as well which brings my album artwork to life. It is super colourful and glittery and features a fully choreographed performance which was the first time I’ve tried that for a video!

Where do you tend to pull inspiration from when writing?

I am super inspired by the classic ’70s artists and new yacht-rock revival artists like Young Gun Silver Fox. I want to write music that has a really groovy upbeat feel that carries you away from everyday troubles and is a super playful soundscape you can’t help but dance to. Feel-good nostalgic shimmery pop is the goal!

Do you have any upcoming shows you’d like to tell us about?

We (myself and my band the Yacht Daddies) had an incredible summer that was jam-packed with over 50 performances and music festivals- currently, there are a few local shows booked around Alberta, which you can check on my website, but we are taking some downtime this autumn to work on some new material and plan for another big year in 2024.