A noteworthy aspect of Julia Jacklin’s new single “The Hardest Thing” is its standout video. The clip, steered by Danny Cohen, unfolds in a single sweeping take—a drone circling a prominent Melbourne high-rise. As the camera completes its orbit around the building, it closes in on Jacklin standing alone on a rooftop, performing the song. I can’t imagine stepping onto a rooftop and doing anything up there, yet she handles it with an unmistakable coolness.
The song itself holds its own, following earlier tracks “Get Away From Me (I Think I’ll Love You Soon)” and “I Wish” from her forthcoming album The Gem. It rides a bright, easy-going groove with a chorus that shines: “The hardest thing to do is believe it when you say, ‘I love you’.” It has a casual radio-ready charm that brings Tom Petty to mind. See it below.
The Gem lands on 9/25 through 4AD.
