Elephant - Too Close Review: Shane Clarke Embraces a New Sound

By Chris Kennedy | Published 31st August, 2026

With four studio albums and a string of singles already under his belt, Elephant has firmly established himself as one of the more distinctive voices on the Irish alternative music scene.

The moniker belongs to multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Shane Clarke, whose music has traditionally occupied an interesting space between reflective acoustic songwriting, indie rock and classical crossover. While Clarke records much of his material independently, his live performances can take several different forms, from intimate stripped-back sets with a keyboardist to full-band performances that give his songs a much bigger dynamic range.

That ability to move between the intimate and expansive has also made Elephant a familiar presence on the Irish festival circuit.

With his latest single, Too Close, Clarke appears to be pushing that sound in a slightly different direction.

Too Close Blends Art-Pop, New Wave and Electronic Textures

There has always been an emotional fragility to Clarke's vocals, particularly in the delicate falsetto that has become something of a trademark. On Too Close, that vulnerability remains, but the musical backdrop is considerably more adventurous.

The track sees Elephant delve further into 80s new wave and sophisti-pop, combining orchestral arrangements with pulsing electronic textures and layered vocals. It's an interesting combination that gives the song a distinctly atmospheric quality without sacrificing the emotional intimacy at the heart of Clarke's songwriting.

Too Close opens with a delicate, plucked classical arrangement before gradually building as Clarke's vocals enter. His voice glides effortlessly across the instrumentation, creating an almost weightless quality before the electronic elements begin to add another layer to the track.

It's a song that doesn't feel particularly interested in rushing anywhere. Instead, Clarke allows the arrangement to develop gradually, giving the instrumentation plenty of room to breathe.

That sense of space works particularly well with the subject matter.

A Song About Keeping People at Arm’s Length

Lyrically, Too Close explores the instinct to keep other people at arm's length. It's a familiar emotional defence mechanism: keeping someone distant not simply to protect yourself, but also because of the fear that allowing them in could ultimately cause them pain.

That gives the song a melancholy edge, but it never becomes overly dramatic.

Instead, Clarke lets the combination of his fragile vocal delivery and increasingly atmospheric production do much of the emotional heavy lifting. There's something quietly introspective about the track, with the polished electronic and orchestral elements contrasting nicely with the vulnerability of the lyrics.

Final Verdict

Too Close is another strong release from Elephant and an intriguing glimpse at where Shane Clarke might take the project next. The combination of orchestral instrumentation, electronic production, 80s new-wave influences and Clarke's distinctive falsetto gives the track a sophisticated, atmospheric quality.

The single, Too Close, is available through all streaming platforms.

Photo Credit: Elephant