Ellie Goulding Shines With Diplo & Swae Lee on ‘Close to Me’: Listen

Ellie Goulding is back, baby. You may say, “Back? She didn’t go anywhere!” Yes, the British singer-songwriter has been on the charts with her Kygo collaboration “First Time,” and she released a few stand-alone covers of “O Holy NIght” and Don McLean’s 1971 song “Vincent,” but it’s actually been three years since the “Lights” lady gave fans a solo original. That ends now — although she’s not technically alone. She’s comin’ through the party with Diplo and Rae Sremmurd‘s Swae Lee.

“Close to Me” is a defiant love song set against an electronic beat and acoustic guitar melodies. It’s a little bit soft, a little bit cocky and definitely hits the spot for those looking to sing along loud in the car. Swae Lee is smooth on his verse, and Goulding is as magnetic a force as ever.

It’s Goulding and Diplo’s second collaboration, following 2015’s “Powerful” from Major Lazer. Here’s to hoping it’s a dam-break moment, soon to be followed by a bigger project. Listen to “Close to Me” below.