On September 6th, 2023, Too Close To Touch shared a new single, ‘Hopeless’, featuring vocalist Telle Smith from The World Alive. Marking the band’s first release since the untimely passing of their singer Keaton Pierce in 2022, they share a very emotional song as a form of tribute.
“In loving, living, infinite memory of Keaton, today we’re sharing a new song with you – Hopeless. One of the final few recordings from him. With some help from our friend Telle Smith.”, they post on social media, receiving nothing but compassion from their fan-base and across the whole alternative scene.
Too Close To Touch’s sound has developed itself quite exponentially ever since the band came to be, mixing emotional lyrics, gut-gripping guitars and tormenting vocals. ‘Hopeless’ is an incredible example of the band’s signature sound.
A soothing piano melody starts off the song, wrapping itself around the listener until Keaton’s voice takes over, accompanied by an intriguing guitar riff and supported by bass.
“Sleep to the sound of the same drum
Like we’re both numb to the withering away.”
As soon as the first verse starts, the lyrics outline a relationship. One that has lost its color, lost its spark, leaving people to decay alongside their feelings.Once the pre-chorus hits, it’s quite hard to ignore Pierce’s voice which brings a sense of comfort, although the whole entire atmosphere of the single depicts two people falling out of love and as its title suggests, a sense of hopelessness.
Guitars hit in the chorus, carried by drums and a rather unusual mix of major and minor tones almost giving it a feeling of mixed signals, leaving the listener in a bittersweet state of heartache.
Overall, the song is emotional, melodious and both Telle and Keaton’s voice mix very well. The guitars and drums fall in place just right, bringing Too Close To Touch’s typical sound back to life, although it never truly left.
Written by: Noah F.
Edited by: Suzanne Teernstra
