Every Monday, Add of the Week unveils all the new songs going into the 88Nine on-air playlist, with one hand-picked selection put in the spotlight by a member of our music team.
We’re big fans of Baby Rose around the Radio Milwaukee offices. She was among the first artist interviews after HYFIN’s launch, and it was a treat — for us and our members — to have her visit for a Studio Milwaukee Session this past May. So while her new single “Closer” is the only addition to the 88Nine playlist this week, you can bet we would’ve picked it even if there were 100 other options.
When we last saw Baby Rose back in May, she kept it simple yet still commanded the room without ever leaving the stool on which she sat. Backed only by keys, her voice and mannerisms pulled the audience along with her — a feat she duplicates on “Closer” but with much more accompaniment.
For starters, there’s a slow-jam snare to go along with a bouncy bass and flute-like high end as Baby Rose glides through the first couple verses of a love story that’s just barely on this side of emotionally healthy:
Maze … in a daze … by your ways
And the words you say
Listen bae … you can change
Me in every way
The closer you are
The closer you are to me
Wherever you are
Wherever you are, I’ll be
Further dressing up the proceedings is the featured guest on verse three, Destin Conrad. Baby Rose’s fellow R&B’er has come a long way since busting out on dearly departed short-form video service Vine. His third album, Submissive, dropped at the end of October, and on this track his vocals pop in the production, lending a counterpoint to Baby Rose’s subtle approach.
You can get cozy with “Closer” via the video at the top of the page and hear it as part of 88Nine’s playlist over the air, as well as streaming here on the website and on our mobile app.
