Close Enemies

"Close Enemies" is a song by British recording artist Example. It was released on 11 November 2012 as the second single from his fourth studio album, The Evolution of Man. The song was written by Elliot Gleave and Alex Smith, the latter who also produced the song. It entered the UK Singles Chart on 18 November 2012 at number 37. Gleave and his band performed a live version of the song for BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge, which features on the Live Lounge 2013 compilation album.[2]

For the 2018 film, see Close Enemies (film).

"Close Enemies"
Single by Example
from the album The Evolution of Man
Released11 November 2012
Recorded2011–12
Genre
Length3:44
LabelMinistry of Sound
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Alex Smith
Example singles chronology
"Say Nothing"
(2012)		 "Close Enemies"
(2012)		 "Perfect Replacement"
(2013)

Background and release

"Close Enemies" received its live debut at the Norwich UEA on 15 September 2012,[3] and was performed on 17 September 2012 at the iTunes Festival.[1] The track received its radio debut on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show, where it was announced to be Zane Lowe's hottest record in the world on 26 September 2012[4] and the lyric video was made public on Example's official YouTube channel on the same evening.[5]

The DJ Wire remix was uploaded to UKF Drum & Bass on 4 October 2012[6] and the Rollz remix was uploaded to UKF Music on 8 October 2012.[7] Due to the large amount of remixes for the song, two extended plays were released. One contains the original and extended mixes alongside four remixes and the other EP consists entirely of four remixes. The Joker and Dyro remixes also feature on the deluxe edition of The Evolution of Man.

Talking about the song, Example said: "Out of all the tracks on the album, 'Close Enemies' sums up every kind of flavour on there, it's got the light, the dark, the emotion, it's got the guitars, it's got the electronic elements, the rapping, the half time dubstep bits, everything I wanted to do is embodied by this record so it was the one to lead the album with."[8] Example has collaborated with producer Alex Smith in the past, as the two had co-written "Chasing the Sun" by The Wanted.

Critical reception

Robert Copsey of Digital Spy gave the song a positive review stating:

If 'Close Enemies' is anything to go by, the answer is a firm no. "Your smile should have told me you're trouble," he half-sings over a menacing guitar riff and moody synths, before breaking out into a gloopy, dubsteppy and suitably epic chorus. The result, despite the whiff of alt-rock, largely sticks to his tried and tested methods – though it comes at a time when he should be doing just the opposite. .[9]

Music video

Background

A music video to accompany the release of "Close Enemies" was first released onto YouTube on 8 October 2012 at a total length of three minutes and fifty-five seconds.[10] The video was directed by Rankin. On Twitter, the star told his fans not to read anything into the video. He said: "As per usual my new music video will not make any sense or have anything to do with the song. I like it this way. There is a clown in it tho."[8]

Synopsis

The video starts with a warning message, starting that it is permitted for "Restricted Audiences Only". He is seen rapping in an industrial looking warehouse. During the video, the rapper shares scenes with a female who continues to flicker between human and zombie as they stand face to face. There is also a menacing looking clown, a huge man wielding a chainsaw and a troubled soldier.[8]

Track listing
Digital download
No.TitleLength
1."Close Enemies" (Radio Edit)3:44
2."Close Enemies" (Extended Mix)6:03
3."Close Enemies" (Jakob Liedholm Remix)5:40
4."Close Enemies" (Riddim Commission Remix)4:19
5."Close Enemies" (DJ Wire Remix)4:39
6."Close Enemies" (Woz Remix)4:05
Close Enemies (The Remixes) – EP[11]
No.TitleLength
1."Close Enemies" (Joker Remix)4:06
2."Close Enemies" (Dyro Remix)4:19
3."Close Enemies" (Nathan C Remix)6:33
4."Close Enemies" (Rollz Remix)5:13
CD single (MOSCDSP244)
No.TitleLength
1."Close Enemies" (Radio Edit)3:44
2."Close Enemies" (Extended Mix)6:03
3."Close Enemies" (Jakob Liedholm Remix)5:40
4."Close Enemies" (Riddim Commission Remix)4:19
5."Close Enemies" (DJ Wire Remix)4:39
6."Close Enemies" (Joker Remix)4:06
7."Close Enemies" (Rollz Remix)5:13
8."Close Enemies" (Woz Remix)4:05

Chart performance

On 18 November 2012 the song entered the UK Singles Chart at number 37.[12]

Charts
Chart (2012) Peak
position
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[13] 37
UK Dance (Official Charts Company)[14] 7
UK Indie (Official Charts Company)[15] 2
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[16] 37

Release history
Region Date Format Label
United Kingdom 11 November 2012 Digital download Ministry of Sound
gollark: One day Dwarf Fortress will end up developing general AI, I tell you.
gollark: Not for eldritch abominations!
gollark: I was saying that in response to the energy issue though.
gollark: It's meant to be an eldritch abomination beyond comprehension.
gollark: At that point why not save money and use fewer lasers?

References
  1. Adam Silverstein (18 September 2012). "Example at iTunes Festival, Roundhouse, London - Review". Digital Spy.
  2. "iTunes – Music – BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge 2013 (Deluxe Version) by Various Artists". iTunes. 25 October 2013.
  3. "Example – Close Enemies". YouTube. 16 September 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  4. "BBC – Zane Lowe's Hottest Record – Example – Close Enemies". BBC. 26 September 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  5. "Example Releases Lyric Video For New Single 'Close Enemies'". Capital FM. 27 September 2012.
  6. "Example – Close Enemies (DJ Wire Remix)". UKF. 4 October 2012.
  7. "Example – Close Enemies (Rollz Remix) – YouTube". YouTube. 8 October 2012.
  8. Example Teams Up With Rankin For New 'Close Enemies' Music Video. Capital FM. capitalfm.com/
  9. Example: 'Close Enemies' – Single review. Digital Spy
  10. Robert Copsey (25 October 2012). "Example: 'Close Enemies' - Music video". Digital Spy.
  11. "Close Enemies (The Remixes) – EP". iTunes. 11 November 2012.
  12. BBC – Radio 1 – Chart – The Official UK Top 40 Singles Chart
  13. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  14. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  15. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company.
  16. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
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