Alt-pop duo joan are continuing their action-packed 2025. 

Alan Benjamin Thomas and Steven Rutherford, also known as joan, just dropped their newest single “alibi” and announced their new album this won’t last forever. The album is slated for release on September 25.

“alibi” is the follow up to “body language” and their feature on K-Pop group EPEX’s song “so nice”. They also just finished up a spring headline tour and a run of shows supporting Bloc Party.

While writing this new single, they dug into their real life experiences. 

 “The song pulls from a personal scenario in the past where it just honestly felt like the other person had the whole thing somewhat planned out; almost criminal,” the duo said in a press release.

The track creates a dreamy and trance-like feeling from start to finish. You are greeted with a groovy, driving bassline and steady drumline. The vocal delivery for 90% of the song is very simple and straightforward. It is not overdone or forced, but you can still hear the emotion of reflection, acceptance with a hint of sadness underneath. Then on the bridge, the vocals get a bit raw, while the instrumental gets a bit larger, but still pulled back to keep you hooked into the story. This is followed by the delivery of the final chorus with a piano accompaniment to layer on the feelings of reflection and acceptance of the realities of what has unfolded in the narrator’s relationship. 

“alibi” was created out of an environment of darkness. “We wrote ‘alibi’ in the dingy basement of some co-write that we did a while back. It was dark, and I swear there was only one light in the whole room,” Joan says.

The metaphor of the relationship being like a crime was clear from the beginning. “The room felt like an interrogation room so we kind of used that theme to start something and it just stuck.”

The music video for the track was filmed in black and white and is set in an interrogation room. It features actors flipping tables, chairs and arguing. Bringing to life the concept of confronting the end of the relationship like confronting someone who has committed a crime. 

This song and their upcoming album are about overcoming hard times and knowing things will get better.

“It’s about actually looking up in your life and realizing that nothing lasts forever. So breathe and take in the moment. Whether good or bad, you gotta know that it won’t last. This song was an important reminder of that. Hope it is to you too”.

“alibi” is also available on all streaming platforms and this won’t last forever is due out September 25. You can also stay up to date on all upcoming releases and announcements by following the duo on social media @songsbyjoan and on their website.