Watch the Manic Music Video for Speedy Ortiz’s New Single “Lean In When I Suffer”

Coming back from an impressive run at SXSW, Speedy Ortiz shared on Wednesday the latest single off their forthcoming Twerp Verse album, “Lean In When I Suffer.” The single’s accompanying music video follows the story of the depressed Speedy Ortiz band-members being put through a “happiness boot-camp,” run by a group of clowns who have “never been sad.” In a press release, Speedy Ortiz frontperson, Sadie Dupuis, spoke about the meaning of the song and video:

“Lean In When I Suffer” is about that fun breed of “ally” who wears out their already exhausted friends by relying on us for excessive emotional labor. They want props for their wokeness, but don’t want to put in any actual work or divest themselves of power. They just taaaake uuuup spaaaace, and shut down when you try to talk them through their problematic tendencies. Because #selfcare? So you’re stuck in a toxic vampiric loop trying to maintain a relationship—Lean In AND Suffer, why don’t you!

Through the music video, director Ari Ratner wanted to address the annoyance found when people misunderstand depression and offer their unqualified help. This sentiment struck a chord with the band, who found this grievance “relatable as hell.” The music video to “Lean in When I Suffer” gives examples of uninformed suggestions people give to someone battling depression such as “choose happiness,” “try yoga” or “just smile.”

“People give unsolicited advice about how to beat depression. [They] typically fail to acknowledge depression as a real illness and often minimize the experiences of the person they are trying to help.” says Dupuis in her statement.

The “Crayola-bright” illustrations, created by Julia Emiliani, juxtapose the serious themes presented in the song’s lyrics. The music video ends with Dupuis finding a friend. The clown therapists give the band their instruments and Speedy Ortiz perform in a brightly decorated room.

Dupuis ends her statement by saying:

“Ultimately, playing angry rock songs is our favorite form of therapy. (And also, real therapy. That shit works.)”

Watch the clown-filled music video to “Lean In When I Suffer” below. Then revisit the first single off Twerp Verse, and the album’s announcement, here. Twerp Verse is set to release on April 27, via Carpark. Preorder the album through the band’s website, right here.