Review – Closer

Date: 1 February 2025
Published in: Record Collector (UK)
Written by: John Earls

Successfully revisiting the You Came era

Kim Wilde’s first album since 2018 is a companion to 1988’s Close, down to recreating its artwork. Featuring three Top 10 hits, most memorably You Came, Close is regarded by many fans as Wilde’s most complete album. Sure enough, Closer also showcases all aspects of Wilde, especially her strength as a power balladeer, on the epic ‘Lighthouse’ and ‘Sorrow Replaced’ (the latter with Midge Ure). ‘Hourglass Human’ shares the industrial soundscapes of Gary Numan and there’s also some of Wilde’s recent sci-fi glam specialty. Of course, there’s ridiculously infectious pop, too. The opening trio of songs demonstrate Wilde can still deploy a killer chorus, subtly updating her synth backing without trying to copy modern trends. Anyone who thinks Wilde is only a singles artist can start here.