Listen to “Next To You” by Bright Light Bright Light x Kim David Smith
Pop aficionados, the countdown is officially on. With days to go until “Duets” arrives on March 6, Bright Light Bright Light is keeping the momentum high with another taste of what’s to come. Following the fizzy teaser “Cold Sweat, Hot Boys” featuring Ana Matronic of Scissor Sisters, likewise, we now get the dramatically reimagined focus track “Next To You.”
Originally appearing on the album “Fun City”. This new version pairs Rod Thomas with the ever-theatrical Kim David Smith, and the chemistry is immediate. Where “Cold Sweat, Hot Boys” leaned into carefree pop exuberance, “Next To You” slips elegantly into a more shadowy, cabaret-kissed mood. It’s lush, intimate, and deliciously melodramatic.
The collaboration feels especially organic given the pair’s frequent live performances together at Joe’s Pub. Smith even rewrote the spoken-word section originally delivered by Mark Gatiss, into French, therefore, amplifying the song’s torch-song drama. Subsequently, the result is a sophisticated reinvention that nods to classic cabaret while remaining firmly rooted in Bright Light Bright Light’s polished pop world.
Rod himself sums it up perfectly,
“Kim and I sing with each other all the time at Joe’s Pub, and that energy really shaped this version. His shows sit somewhere between Marlene Dietrich and Kylie Minogue, and I always felt this song suited his voice and theatrical delivery. When he suggested rewriting the spoken word part in French, it added a playfulness that’s both funny and tragic – it suddenly became this beautifully melodramatic torch-song duet, and I loved that.”
honestly, could there be a more enticing reference point?
All in all, what’s becoming clear is that “Duets” isn’t just a collection of collaborations it’s a showcase of range. From cheeky dancefloor energy to introspective theatricality, Bright Light Bright Light continues to prove why his catalogue remains one of pop’s most emotionally rich and joyfully inclusive spaces. The March 6th release date can’t come soon enough.
Of course, the excitement doesn’t stop with the EP. The “Not Like All The Other Boys” UK Tour kicks off March 12, bringing the new material to stages across the country. Support comes from Ariana & The Rose, with Kasturi also joining for the Manchester date. A lineup that promises pure pop joy for live audiences.
NOT LIKE ALL THE OTHER BOYS – UK TOUR
with special guest Ariana & The Rose
March 12 – Neath – Gwyn Hall
March 13 – London – Royal Vauxhall Tavern
March 15 – Brighton – Komedia
March 16 – Birmingham – Hare & Hounds
March 17 – Manchester – Night & Day Café (Presented by EQ Music) + additonal special guest Kasturi
March 18 – Glasgow – Stereo
Tickets available from www.brightlightx2.com/live
