Joan & the Giants take on the journey to rage with their daydreamy indie-rock single ‘How Could You?’ and accompanying music video.
With up-tempo melodies, mournful vocals, and transient guitar, ‘How Could You?’ is a track straight out of a coming-of-age movie. The soft, analogue quality of the song melts away in this musical journey through emotions, the bittersweet tune melting into anger with a grand finale of electric guitar and thrashing drums.
The heartfelt and emotive vocals of Grace Newton-Wordsworth twists and warps along with the guitar, transcending from a major to a minor key to end the song with a heavy, distorted energy. The upbeat tempo and the despairing lyrics contrast beautifully until they finally match together at the end of the song in a display of catharsis. This symbolism is intentional, with Grace sharing:
“When a person breaks all the trust you once had in them it isn’t just sad, it’s completely chaotic. I was going through life still doing all the things I have to do like working multiple jobs, playing shows, seeing friends and family – whilst internally, I was screaming.”
This song was written to contrast with itself and reflect the way the outside doesn’t always match the inside, with boppy and bright melodies contrasting the lyrical content of the song. Focusing on the feeling of betrayal that comes when you least expect it, this song takes you through the journey and processes the emotions, ending loud and unapologetic in the rage of it all.
Accompanying the track is their delightful studio music video, which captures their charm and infectious energy as they dance along. Shot by Isabelle Haubrich, the self-directed video is absolutely adorable and a joy to watch.