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Alex Clare: British singer-songwriter known for 'Too Close'

Overview of Alex Clare (born 1985), his musical style, breakthrough single "Too Close", debut album, career development, and notable recognition including an ASCAP songwriting award.

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Alexander George Clare (born 14 September 1985 in London) is a British singer-songwriter and recording artist who performs as Alex Clare. He came to wide public attention in the early 2010s with a blend of soulful vocals and contemporary electronic and rock-influenced production. Clare writes, records and tours, and his voice — often described as soulful and resonant — is a defining feature of his recorded work.

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Musical style and themes

Clare's music mixes elements of soul, pop, rock and electronic production. Songs commonly balance intimate, R&B-inflected vocal delivery with modern beats and textured instrumentation. Lyrically, his material frequently explores relationships, emotional conflict and personal reflection, delivered with a dramatic intensity that suited both radio and live performance.

Career breakthrough and recordings

His debut album, The Lateness of the Hour, was released in 2011 and introduced listeners to his fusion of soulful singing and contemporary production. The best-known track from that period is "Too Close," a ballad framed by punchy rhythms and a memorable chorus. The single achieved international exposure after being featured in a high-profile Microsoft Internet Explorer advertising campaign, which significantly increased radio play and sales.

Recognition and awards

Clare's songwriting received industry recognition: in 2014 he and collaborator Jim Duguid were honoured at the ASCAP Awards for their work on "Too Close," receiving a Songwriter of the Year distinction. For background on Clare as an artist, see his official profile, and details about the award event are available via the ASCAP Awards coverage.

Live work and subsequent activity

Following his breakthrough, Clare toured internationally and continued to release new material and perform at festivals and venues. His live shows tend to emphasize vocal delivery and dynamic arrangements, often adapting studio elements for a band setting. Over time he continued to develop his sound while retaining the soulful voice that defines his recordings.

Notable facts and distinctions

  • Born and raised in London, he adopted the stage name Alex Clare around 2010 as his professional persona.
  • "Too Close" remains his most widely recognized song due to its chart success and use in advertising.
  • Clare's work is an example of early-2010s cross-genre production that brought soul-influenced singing into pop and electronic contexts.

Life

Clare is from the north of London. At the beginning of his career he played his own songs on the guitar at open mic events in London. His debut album The Lateness of the Hour, produced by musicians Major Lazer, Diplo and Switch, was released on July 11, 2011. The single Too Close, which was pre-released in March 2011, reached #1 on the iTunes charts in Germany a year later. In 2012, Too Close became the commercial song for Windows Internet Explorer 9 and subsequently both the single and the album reached the US charts.

Discography

Albums

  • 2011: The Lateness of the Hour
  • 2014: Three Hearts
  • 2016: Tail of Lions
  • 2018: Three Days at Greenmount

Singles

  • 2011: Up All Night
  • 2011: Too Close
  • 2011: Treading Water
  • 2011: Caroline
  • 2011: When Doves Cry
  • 2012: Hummingbird
  • 2014: War Rages On
  • 2014: Never Let You Go
  • 2016: Tell Me What You Need
  • 2017: Get Real
  • 2019: Crazy to Love You (with Decco)

As guest musicians

  • 2012: Not Giving In (Rudimental feat. John Newman & Alex Clare)
  • 2013: Endorphins (Sub Focus feat. Alex Clare)
  • 2013: Give It All (Don Diablo feat. Alex Clare & Kelis)
  • 2016: Living (Bakermat feat. Alex Clare)
  • 2018: Heaven to Me (Don Diablo feat. Alex Clare)
  • 2019: Learn To Lose (Bakermat feat. Alex Clare)

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AlegsaOnline.com Alex Clare: British singer-songwriter known for 'Too Close'

URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/2317

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