"Close" stands as Kim Wilde's sixth studio album, gracing the airwaves in June 1988. Produced by Ricky Wilde and Tony Swain, this album represents a culmination of Wilde's diverse pop stylings, ranging from dance to ballad, rock, and midtempo tracks.
The lead single, "Hey Mister Heartache," featuring backing vocals from Junior Giscombe, set the stage for the album's release, but it was overshadowed by the subsequent smash hit, "You Came," which soared into the Top 10 in numerous countries and narrowly missed the US Top 40.
Further solidifying the album's success were hits like "Never Trust a Stranger" and "Four Letter Word," both reaching the UK Top 10. Although the fifth single, "Love in the Natural Way," didn't fare as well, Wilde's supporting role on Michael Jackson's European tour helped keep the album in the spotlight.
"Close" made its mark by reaching the Top 10 in the UK, across Scandinavia, Austria, and Germany, earning platinum certification in the UK. While its success in Australia was more modest, the album still made an impact, peaking at #82 on the ARIA albums chart.
In 2013, a 2-CD 25th Anniversary Edition of "Close" was released in the United Kingdom, featuring the original 10 tracks along with an additional 21 B-sides and remixes, further commemorating the album's enduring legacy.
