Typically known for her goth pop style, Madeline North aka So Below releases what promises to be a smash summer pop anthem with new single, Close which debuted into Spotify NZ's New Music Friday playlist. 
 
Saying goodbye never sounded so optimistic with Close seeing North turn to fully embrace an unashamedly infectious hook which marries perfectly to the long summer nights ahead. Close was written in Downtown LA and co-written with fellow kiwis Chelsea Jade and Sam McCarthy (BOYBOY), who also produced the single. North states; "We weren't intending on making such an upbeat track but it just sort of happened naturally. I think it still fits in well with the other songs released to date and kind of balances well with the song meaning, which is about moving on and finding space from the bad relationships in your life.”
 
Inspired by the organic and man-made surroundings, McCarthy further expands on the songwriting process; “There was a large window that looked out over the dry LA river, the surrounding warehouses, and the open sky above. The song felt like it had this close relationship with the time and the environment, so we wanted to include a contrast of industrial noises alongside the natural sounds within the track.”
 
The release of the NZ On Air supported single Close rounds out an eventful 2017 which saw North tour the UK for the first time, clock up over 500k Spotify streams for her track Sleep and release the video for track Hard which achieved Upload of the Week on MTV NZ & AU. A debut into the NZ Most Added Top 40 chart for last single Ruin and international music media support from The 405, Clash Magazine, High Clouds and EARMILK along with Spotify playlist adds in the USA, Canada and Mexico show that this emerging Auckland artist is already engaging listeners from all over the globe.
 
Early 2018 will see So Below spend further songwriting time with Auckland band Leisure, Sam McCarthy (BOYBOY) and Brad Hale (Now, Now) to work on tracks for her forthcoming full length album. Live New Zealand shows are planned for February 2018, along with the release of her second EP which is slated for release early next year.