So Close by REEL BEETZ

by REEL BEETZ featuring Saimon Disko, MISS C-LINE, James Iwa, Anne Nang’ole, Nisl, PeWe, Tommy Vercetti, Z The Freshman, svmthoX

So Close is an experimental, concept-driven album by Swiss producer REEL BEETZ, tackling one of the most pressing yet often unspoken themes of our time: how Social Media blurs the lines between true human connection and social isolation. For this project, REEL BEETZ approached a handpicked collective of songwriters and rappers with a simple yet open-ended challenge: write lyrics that relate—closely or loosely—to the impact of digital life.

The result is a colorful, genre-bending collection of tracks that explore the symptoms of our virtual hyperconnectedness from several angles while a common hook solidifies: Being close without being close, feeling heard without being heard. Beyond the refrain of the artificial closeness that social media augments, each song tells its own story – sometimes bizarre, sometimes sad, sometimes introspective.

Featuring a dynamic roster of artists—MISS C-LINE, Saimon Disko, James Iwa, Anne Nang'ole, Nisl, PeWe, Tommy Vercetti, Z the Freshman, and svmthoX—each voice adds a unique angle to the digital dilemma. Musically, So Close bridges strong storytelling with pulsating, danceable grooves, blending Hip-Hop, Rap, R&B, Soul, and House. REEL BEETZ draws inspiration from innovators like KAYTRANADA and Odd Future, while grounding the sound with the warmth of real instrumentation. The album features performances by Christian Spahni, James Iwa, and Christoph Buchs on bass; David Friedli and Jonas Zahnd on guitars; Kenny Niggli on keys; and Leo Bortolotti on saxophone and himself on Drums, Keyboards, Percussion and Bass.

The title So Close, and its evocative cover art—a glass box displaying something visible yet untouchable—perfectly encapsulate the project’s paradox: in a world designed to make us feel closer, why do we often feel so far apart? So Close doesn’t just pose that question—it dances through it.

Wir sind davon angetrieben, die plumpen und trostlosen Genregrenzen zu strapazieren, Leute zusammenzubringen und Vokalist*innen mit bauchaufweichenden doch schnörkellosen Groove ins Beste Licht zu rücken.

Das tun wir als Backing Band.

Das tun wir beim Veröffentlichen von Eigenproduktionen.

Das tun wir als Fundament von der Berner Jamsession The Talk!

Immer alles verwurzelt im Hip-Hop und Soul.

reelbeetz.ch