The track is a masterclass in restraint – a quality seemingly absorbed from Harding's stated influences Andy Shauf and Flyte. Unlike the breathless rush of many debuts desperate to impress within their three-minute window, "Too Long" lives up to its name by allowing space for contemplation between its melodic phrases. It unfurls gradually, rewarding the patient listener with layers that reveal themselves only after repeated spins.

Harding's vocals – remarkably preserved from the original home demos – carry an unvarnished authenticity that commercial polish would have surely diminished. There's something distinctly McCartney-esque in the homespun production values, channeling those beloved Ram-era recordings where imperfection becomes character rather than flaw.

The instrumental arrangements deserve particular mention, with Max Fletcher's keyboard work and lap steel providing a sophisticated counterpoint to Harding's more straightforward melodic sensibilities. When Doug Cave's saxophone and Mathew Hill's trumpet enter the fray, the song expands into unexpectedly orchestral territory without sacrificing its indie intimacy.

What's most compelling about "Too Long" isn't merely its sonic architecture but the narrative behind it. This isn't just another Brighton band's first single; it's the sound of a creative dam breaking after years of blockage. That Harding required a literal health scare to finally push this music into existence adds poignancy to lyrics that explore hesitation and creative paralysis. When he delivers the opening line referencing Tweedy's "How to Write One Song," it lands not as clever indieboy reference but as genuine gratitude for creative salvation.

"Too Long" sits comfortably in that sweet spot between melodic accessibility and the "slightly off-kilter structures" Harding admires in bands like Toledo or More*. There's warmth here, certainly, but also an unease that prevents the track from ever drifting into mere pleasantness – a trap that claims so many similar artists.

This is mature, considered songwriting that benefits enormously from Harding's extended gestation period. One suspects that had this song emerged from a younger, more impetuous version of its creator, it would have lacked the emotional resonance that makes it so compelling now. Sometimes creative blocks serve their purpose – in this case, allowing Harding to arrive at exactly the right moment with exactly the right song.

If "Too Long" is any indication of what's to come from Bardie's forthcoming album, those upcoming Alt Escape shows Harding speaks of targeting might need to be reconsidered for considerably larger venues. A debut this accomplished suggests an artist who, despite taking his time to introduce himself, won't remain in the shadows for long.