“I'll Be Near” - Lemon
Photo Credit: Artist EPK
Lemon are taking a breather — and, in doing so, they’ve landed one of their most tender and affecting releases to date. “I’ll Be Near,” the tenth entry in their year-long #lemon12 singles project, finds the usually groove-obsessed band trading in dancefloor swagger for emotional sincerity. This is Lemon with their guard down — reflective, raw, and quietly powerful.
While most of the earlier #lemon12 releases have been full of swaggering rhythms and that unmistakable “Nedchester” groove — that curious Dutch twist on Manchester’s golden era of funk-infused indie — “I’ll Be Near” floats in with a completely different energy. The first half of the song unfolds gently, guided by delicate piano chords and a hushed vocal delivery that feels almost like a confession. The drums don’t appear until halfway through, and when they do, they arrive like a heartbeat returning — soft, steady, reassuring.
The real revelation here, though, is the string quartet. For the first time since Lemon’s debut album, violins, cello, and double bass take center stage, weaving an orchestral warmth through the track that’s both cinematic and intimate. The strings carry the emotion of the song, amplifying its message of friendship and loyalty without ever tipping into sentimentality. It’s a clever production move that gives “I’ll Be Near” its timeless feel — like a modern classic you’ve somehow known all your life.
Lyrically, the song is all about connection — about having someone who’s truly there for you. It’s not quite a love song, and not just a friendship song either; it lives in that tender in-between, where care, trust, and quiet understanding reside. The reference points make sense: Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend,” Donny Hathaway’s soulful interpretation — songs that remind you that you don’t have to go through it alone. Lemon taps into that same emotional current, but filters it through their own dreamy, modern lens.
Photo Credit: Artist EPK
In a time when the world feels fractured and winter’s chill is starting to creep in, “I’ll Be Near” lands like a gentle hand on the shoulder — an anthem for solidarity and quiet companionship. It’s the kind of song you send to someone who’s struggling; it’s the kind of song that makes the air a little warmer.
Of course, this softer side doesn’t mean Lemon has lost their groove. There’s still a pulse under it all — a hint of the soulful rock DNA that’s defined their sound across five albums and countless singles. The difference here is restraint. Instead of building to a euphoric chorus, the song unfolds gradually, allowing every note and lyric to breathe. It’s mature, elegant, and self-assured.
Coming off a summer of high-energy live shows — including a triumphant set at Amsterdam’s Paradiso — “I’ll Be Near” shows Lemon at their most reflective and emotionally open. It’s proof that even a band known for igniting dancefloors can also soothe souls when they slow things down.
“I'll Be Near” is available now on all major streaming platforms
