Ne-Yo: 'Closer'

Released on Monday, Jun 23 2008

Published Wednesday, May 21 2008, 17:48 BST | By Nick Levine | 11 comments

Ne-Yo's career to date has featured two main strands: one, singing well-crafted but slightly drippy R&B ballads ('So Sick', 'Because Of You'); two, writing well-crafted but slightly drippy R&B ballads for other people (Beyoncé's 'Irreplaceable', Rihanna's 'Hate That I Love You'). Now, just as he was in danger of becoming a little boring, he's decided to pop on his dancing shoes.

With its throbbing house beats and hypnotic, synthy choruses, 'Closer' feels like a cousin to Rihanna's 'Don't Stop The Music' - also produced by Norwegian hitmakers Stargate. Ne-Yo sounds reinvogorated by the change of tempo, whispering seductively, "whoo!"ing like Michael Jackson and wrapping his creamy vocals around a succession of lusty lyrics. The result? A sleek exercise in urban disco that makes recent singles from Usher and Nelly seem rather pedestrian.

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11 Comments

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Roxy, South Africa, on July 5th, 2008
He is the reason ice melts puts the "F" in funky talk bout gifted talented his the reason music took ground noe that he is here can anybody hold him down your the BOMB boy

Chantell, Ghana, on June 26th, 2008
I think dis guy is hot,hes the second micheal jackson and the song is damn freaky

Babygirl, on June 24th, 2008
I LOVE THIS SONG. ITS MY SONG OF THE MOMENT. I JUST WANT TO SING EVERYTIME I PLAY IT

Amiee Nicholson, Preston, on June 23rd, 2008
its a brill song! since i first heard it i cant stop playing it! luv it!!!!!!!!!! x x x x x x

Ben, Houghton, on June 22nd, 2008
this song is great. i love the chorus beats and this song has great vocals. another great track from ne-yo

Jo, Scotland, on June 21st, 2008
It's a good song, but it isn't brilliant. I agree with Ryan, he isn't MJ and never will be, maybe if he stopped trying to hard he might produce something brilliant.

Megan, on May 31st, 2008
Song Is Amazin!!!

Usman, London, on May 23rd, 2008
Wow.Seriously Ne-yo is just amazing and i the closest thing we have to MJ right now. This song sounds completly different to his other songs , which I think is great as he is evolving into a global artist. A brilliant voice, brillint insturmental and a brilliant song

Cherry, London, on May 23rd, 2008
I really like it - its got a good beat to it

Makson, on May 22nd, 2008
This song is too "camp disco" for my taste.

Ryan, London, on May 21st, 2008
Jesus, this guy really thinks he's the second coming of MJ, doesn't he? Anyway, this song is a huge rip-off of 'Don't Stop The Music', but I guess it's hardly unusual for Stargate to keep recycling their beats is it...Not a bad tune but unfortunately we've heard it all before (And far too recently)