PLAYKNOW's “Is It So Hard To Be Good” begins with the question we all ask ourselves silently, if not aloud. The first synth line sets the tone and doesn't overpower. It's as if it's a song that's meant to linger awhile.
The production has a retro pop feel, the soft synths and rhythm section are nicely understated. Some care in the way the arrangement grows; never too much too soon. When the chorus comes it feels like it has come from nowhere.
Kim Rysstad's vocals are the focus of the song. He sings it very well, with a balance and honesty appropriate to the subject. He doesn't overwork the words and he allows them to breathe. The way he speaks, what he is saying comes across as credible, which is all a song that is asking for simple decency needs.
The lyrics reflect on something greater than a typical pop hook, questioning why sometimes noise and self interest are valued over quiet acts of care in society. It's not a lecture, though. It remains reflective and almost like a question, rather than an opinion, and this adds weight to the words.
PLAYKNOW is the project of Hans Petter Stormoen, a Norwegian songwriter, and this isn't a project that's looking for what's cool. The Nu Disco roots and mix of influences give it a definite musical home. There's space in the song for its own voice to come through rather than following a formula.
The one thing I remember most from the song is the overall vibe, more than a particular line or a hook. It's hopeful but tired, as if someone still has hope that things can be done better, even when there's not much evidence. It's a delicate line to walk, but PLAYKNOW is able to handle it without making the song sound naïve.
A song with a clear message can sometimes come across as suggesting what to think, but this one doesn't. It doesn't give you an easy answer, it leaves you with the question. “Is It So Hard To Be Good” is an understated, self-assured song that stays with you
