Earlier in April, it was announced that Kristen Stewart had made a music video for Chvrches, her third directing project following the shorts, “Sage + The Saints: Take Me to the South” and “Come Swim”; the video was released this morning.
If you were hoping to see some wild, ostentatiously imaginative directorial display typical of music videos…well, just remember that this is Kristen Stewart. An oft-intriguing understated-ness should probably be expected, and lo and behold, the video is a tasteful, minimal close-up document of a live performance of the band’s song “Down Side of Me.”
The track’s studio version appeared on Chvrches’ last album, Every Open Eye, but the band recorded this live version as a contribution to 7-inches for Planned Parenthood, the 7″ compilation collection raising money for Planned Parenthood — which also features work from Björk, Mary J. Blige, Sleater-Kinney, John Legend, Bon Iver, St. Vincent, Margaret Atwood (presumably not a musical contribution), Jenny Slate, Mitski, Nico Muhly, Sharon Van Etten, Margaret Cho, and more.
Chvrches frontwoman Lauren Mayberry said of the track’s inclusion in the compilation:
“Down Side Of Me” was not written specifically for this project but I really like how the lyrics can be interpreted in a way that supports the goal of the project as a whole. We should all be able to have faith that our governments are working in our best interests—and if they aren’t then, they should be challenged and held to account. ‘I’ll believe that you’re all that you said you would be.’
Watch: