Track of the Day: Soul/pop artist ORLA releases debut single 'Close to Me'

Rising Belgium-raised, Dublin-based artist ORLA has released her debut single 'Close to Me', produced by Irish artist SVEN and Michael Heffernan.

A catchy and vulnerable track, 'Close to Me' expresses the pain of coming to terms with a relationship being over but feeling desperate to keep that person close to you for a bit longer.

The artist grew up in Brussels, but left home at just 17 - moving to Ireland to study and perform music.

Feeling drawn to the music scene and the brutally honest storytelling of soul/R&B musicians along the lines of Lauryn Hill and Alicia Keys, ORLA first began writing songs at the age of 14.

"The song is one last attempt to hold onto someone I knew I had already lost," ORLA says. "It is a vulnerable and honest response to the end of love."

"In spite of the fear of appearing weak, of feeling helpless without them, revealing my pain in this song was cathartic," ORLA adds. "Expressing my vulnerability and sadness gave me strength in the situation."

In the past four years, ORLA has gathered a loyal following while performing the Dublin live circuit, appearing in venues such as Whelan’s, The Workman’s Club, The Sound House, Opium Rooms and The Crowbar.

Her music continues to evolve, taking influence from artists such as Sabrina Claudio and Lana Del Rey while exploring electronic production in her songs.

Listen to 'Close to Me' below:

https://open.spotify.com/track/1dAcLGi0Em3xm3G4XnB3h7?si=WlQ8pmXHTTqBypLHPf47HA