Jazz/Review Beat the Drum - Try a little bit harder

From experimental electronica to nu jazz-tinged trip hop, London duo Beat the Drum evoke an attractively strange magic that is all their own. Their experience as independent makers of beautiful, evocative soundscapes continues to evolve with each new release.

“Try a little bit harder” by Beat the Drum is a compelling example of how reimagining a song can reveal an entirely different emotional dimension. Originally conceived as a fast-paced, uptempo number, the track has been transformed into a chilled, downtempo composition with subtle jazz influences, allowing its message of perseverance and ambition to resonate with greater intimacy.

The new arrangement immediately establishes a reflective atmosphere. Piano, strings, and double bass provide a warm and understated foundation, creating plenty of space for the song’s emotional character to develop. Most striking is the muted trumpet, whose delicate presence captures the longing embedded within the lyrics. Rather than simply delivering a message about survival and achievement, the instrumentation makes that struggle feel personal and vulnerable.

The decision to slow the track down proves particularly effective. What might have sounded like an energetic motivational anthem in its original form now feels more contemplative, almost like a moment of self-reflection before continuing the journey. There is a quiet determination running beneath the performance, suggesting that perseverance is not always about moving quickly—it can also mean continuing when progress feels difficult.

Around a third of the way through, the drums enter with the force of an athlete finding a second wind. The gradual increase in momentum gives the arrangement a satisfying sense of progression, while the repeated refrain, “Try a little bit harder every day,” becomes increasingly powerful as the track approaches its outro.

Ultimately, Beat the Drum demonstrates that creative evolution can be just as important as the original idea. “Try a little bit harder” feels carefully considered, emotionally mature, and refreshingly authentic—a downtempo piece that turns perseverance into something both gentle and inspiring.