Listen :: Jack Robert Hardman - I Don't Need An Answer

Words: Dave Beech

'I Don't Need An Answer', the latest single from solo singer/songwriter Jack Robert Hardman, sees a return to his unique brand of folk-pop, floating hazily forward on wave upon wave of melody. Taken from his current EP 'The Great Unknown', the track feels somewhat more radio friendly than other releases ('Plymouth', for instance) but it works in Hardman's favour: his pop sensibilities shining through, like a more polished Beulah, the vocals providing at times, an almost-gruffness that prevents the track from being too polished.

The video, somewhat like the song itself, is understated, yet works wonderfully with the track; inanimate food stuffs brought to life with facial expressions, played out against movie footage from the '50s. There's a quaintness about it that's mirrored in Hardman's songwriting also, and it's no surprise that, with last year's eponymous debut, he piqued the interest of tastemakers such as John Kennedy and Huw Stephens to name but two.

Whilst 'The Great Unknown' has been out for a few weeks now, the release of 'I Don't Need An Answer' (and it's accompanying video) will almost certainly garner Hardman some new fans. The quaintness, the simplicity, the melody, working together they create a brilliant slice of folk-pop that's tied off nicely with pristine production, courtesy of Adrian Breakspear (Exit Calm) and Alan Douches (Sufjan Stevens). Whilst there is an inherent simplicity to his music, that doesn't mean to say it's not without its complexities either, the layered melodies working brilliantly against brushed percussion only add to its charm.

Whilst not particularly being 'one' for music videos, the simplicity and the charm of 'I Don't Need An Answer' has something about it, as does the track in general and you could do far worse than giving it a listen or checking out his EP.