Laptop return with a new single called “I Don’t Know”, and once again they prove that they have a very unique way of expressing things. The track is playful on the surface, but also contains a message about expectations, conformity and the pressure to behave “correctly” within society. What makes the song interesting is its mixture of humor and honesty. It doesn’t try to be deep in an obvious way, but the idea behind the chorus — “I don’t know, I’m just a kid, thinking about silly stuff” — carries weight. Sometimes the most truthful answer really is “I don’t know”. Musically, the song moves between synth-pop, indie pop and a danceable groove that feels warm and familiar. There is a lightness to the production, but also something emotional beneath it. You can hear the roots of Laptop’s early 2000s sound — the irony, the bittersweet tone, the clever songwriting — but now there is also something more intimate. Knowing that the song was originally written by Jesse Hartman and his son Charlie when Charlie was four years old gives it an even more personal energy. The childlike rebellion, the curiosity, the refusal to play along — it all becomes part of the song’s character. The performance itself is charming. Jesse delivers his lines with his usual deadpan approach, while the playful vocal parts add color and movement. The harmonica touches and the subtle layers in the production give the track personality without overcomplicating it. Overall, “I Don’t Know” is a witty, light-hearted, but also meaningful pop song. I can’t stop listening to it over and over again, I am hooked.
♦ 8/10
Dimitris Zacharopoulos
