Single: Celeste Madden – Joan of Arc

“Joan of Arc” captures the raw, tumultuous emotions Celeste experienced following her first breakup. “I had all these really fresh painful feelings but I was having trouble translating them into words,” she explains. “I remember shutting myself away for a bit during that summer, mostly because I just couldn’t communicate properly or accurately enough to any of my friends the depth of what I was going through.”

The song, rich with religious imagery, reflects the intense, almost reverential nature of her lost relationship. “Joan of Arc is a very melodramatic song – I think partly because I was younger, and partly because it’s impossible to think the world isn’t ending when you love someone and it doesn’t work out,” Celeste shares. “There’s a lot of religious imagery in the song, which I always love using because it was the background of my early childhood, but also because my relationship felt like my religion, and having it taken away made a real empty space in me.”

I recently received a new single from Sad Club Records, a British label that I’ve been following closely. The press quote I mentioned earlier was taken from the artist’s Bandcamp page, and I’m really pleased that we got our hands on this brilliant piece of work from the talented British indie musician Celeste Madden. The single has a vibe reminiscent of the indie rock style of Phoebe Bridges, which I found quite captivating. While I often find this type of indie rock a bit predictable, Celeste manages to infuse it with a fresh and interesting touch. The song’s melancholic and dreamy atmosphere really struck a chord with me, and I particularly enjoyed the quirky and engaging nature of the accompanying video. The emotions conveyed in the song are quite relatable, especially the theme of breakups, which is always a challenging experience. I found myself drifting away as I listened to Celeste’s gentle and captivating voice. This single has left a lasting impression on me, and I’m sure it will resonate with many others as well.

Written by Filip Zemcik