Inspired by the complex emotions of a long-standing friendship and the hopes of love, Ling's new single promises to resonate with anyone who's ever loved from the sidelines.

Best described as a ‘love ballad for all times’, the latest earworm from the California-based singer-songwriter and entrepreneur, has the touch of a classic. With a string quartet, ballerinas, innocence of budding love and a perfect singalong melody, Closer follows in the afterglow of the season of love, with an equally dreamy cinematic video. 

Having launched his formal music career only in 2023, the American-Chinese artist has swiftly ascended the music charts with his award-winning 'Heartbreak Trilogy.' His previous single, Remember, clinched the #1 spot on the World Indie Music and European Indie Music Charts. The track also peaked in the Top 100 of  DRT Global Top 150 Independent Airplay Chart (#59), and DRT Global Top 50 Rock Airplay Chart - peaked at #19), sharing space with the likes of Foo Fighters, Metallica, Linkin Park and Daughtry among others.

The global chart-topping artist revisits his collaboration with cheerleader and friend Dave Lopez, from the American Alternative Rap Rock group - Flipsyde. The fellow San Francisco-based Guitarist, Lopez will also be accompanying Ling on the first leg of tour in March 2023. The track also showcases the production prowess of Guns N Roses'Brain Bryan Mantia and Melissa Reese, alongside Chris Dugan's engineering magic at Green Day Studios, promises a sonic masterpiece. 

The success of Remember has set the stage for Closer to captivate audiences universally. “I’m okay with being a 'one-hit wonder' if Closer becomes that one hit,” says Allen, reflecting on his artistic journey and the song's potential impact.

Drawing inspiration from classical composer Johann Pachelbel, Closer mirrors the emotional depth and enduring beauty of Pachelbel's Canon in D, which has become a staple in wedding ceremonies worldwide. The production took a decade, and features a rich arrangement of string quartet, live keyboards, bass, drums and guitars, meticulously crafted by Brain Mantia and Melissa Reese. The final mix – a collaborative effort by Reto Peter and Lopez – encapsulates the song's heartfelt essence. 

As Allen preps for his South East Asia and Dubai, UAE tour and Closer is set to release worldwide in March, Dave Lopez expressed his admiration for the track, “This is the first song I heard of Allen’s, and I instantly wanted to be involved with the recording. I can't wait to share it with everyone. When I played the solo at the end, I envisioned folks walking down the aisle for a wedding or a graduation. It has that classic appeal.” 

Aramis Knight of the Ms. Marvel fame, (who played the popular character known as Kareem - Red Dagger), reprises his association with Allen, this time as the Producer and brains behind the Closer video/music film which releases on March 5th, 2024.

Just like the audio will have two versions for radio and for streaming, the video will also have two renditions as a music video and a skit-based music film. 

Allen is a licensed physical therapist in the state of California and Hawaii and has owned and operated his own private practice for decades. He also composes, writes and records music with world class musicians. He has won over a dozen of awards internationally as a music video producer as well for his music videos of Straight Into The Ocean and A Name In Your Book.

New to the music performance industry, he strives to elevate live music through ballads and pop music. He admits he is still immature in many respects, which is why he also indulges himself in comics and children’s books creation and publishing.

Allen splits his time between Berkeley, CA, Kauai, Hawaii, and Talmage CA where he lives close to his loved ones and does his healing work as a physical therapist. He has had a fascinating career as a physical therapist, working with the staff of Pixar Animation Studios and Steve Jobs, going on the sets of acclaimed TV shows such as “Into the Badlands”. From these experiences, he gathered the confidence to become a film maker, while working with professional actors, special effects veterans, and camera crews.

Click on the link below to watch the YouTube music video of Closer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pIaBynwFKU 

Song Credits: 

Producers-Dave Lopez, Bryan “Brain” Mantia, and Melissa Reese

Engineered and mixing by Reto Peter, Chris Dugan, and Care Constanzo

Vocal and String Quartet Arrangements by Melissa Reese

Lead and background vocals- Allen Ling

Keyboards-Meliisa Reese

Guitars: Dave Lopez and Mark Haggard

Drums-Bryan “Brain” Mantia

Bass-Tony Chaba

String “Quartet” -Eugenia Wie, Adam Freidberg, Kathy Marshall Biggs, Emily Onderdonk and Vanessa Ruotolo