Chant-like vocal brewing in an emerging fuzziness and booming pads while glockenspiel decorates the skyscape like glitters and stars. The persistent, echoing lyricism draws you into an introspective space where the repeating line “the lines are forming, they push into waves” leaves a burning mark in your memory.

“Saint Joan of Arc” by Gigantic hand compresses a rare combination of artistry and powerful storytelling into a single creation. Inspired by the French heroine Joan of Arc, who led France to victory during the Hundred Years’ War with England and later burned alive on the stake for witchcraft, “Saint Joan of Arc” subtly explores a darker, ancient event with their uniquely electrified soundscapes.

Joan of Arc was born in medieval France, believed that God has chosen her to lead France to victory in the hundred years’ war with England. With no military training, Joan convinced Charles to let her lead an army and achieved a momentous victory over England and its allies. After Charles was crowned King Charles VII, Joan was burned alive on a stake for witchcraft. She was only 19 at that time. 500 years later in 1920, Joan was officially canonized as a Roman Catholic saint.