The new video from Ian Clement features a brilliantly-executed, focused, emotional vocal performance and layers of unfolding sound that manage to be both gentle and dramatic simultaneously. The video is simple but effective in reinforcing the atmosphere of the song. It’s taken from the upcoming album, ‘See Me in Synchronicity’, due out on 2nd October. The Belgian singer-songwriter’s previous album, the well-received ‘Drawing Daggers’, was released back in 2013. On this evidence, the wait has been worth it.
Clement says of the single: “‘Hardly’ is about the second-guessing we all succumb to. Once a map of dreams unfolds who’s to say we’ll reach our destination in time? In short: it’s about reconciling with fomo, some sort of prayer: please lord let us do what we came here to do, before we leave. The video is deliberately kept very basic and raw. We wanted it to be honest and vulnerable. Although my girlfriend really dislikes being filmed, she understood that I wanted to have her present, even if she’s portrayed vaguely. She had just undergone serious treatment and recovered from a brain aneurysm. She wore an eyepatch for a couple of months after the procedure so she wouldn’t be blinded by lights. Sufficed to say it was a very close call. She dodged a bullet, got very lucky and made a full recovery. So yeah… it’s about all that. Getting a chance to fulfil one’s ‘dreams’ before we depart.” This is deeply personal material, well-suited to Clement’s soulful voice and songwriting style.
The frontman of heavy metal band Wallace Vanborn has completely re-invented himself here. We’re delighted to premiere the video for ‘Hardly’, which is a promising introduction to the forthcoming album. Enjoy.
