Singles Spotlight: New Constellations – “I Disappear”

Hello reader,

How are you today? Welcome back or welcome to SWT.

Ready to learn more about an indie-pop duo making some great music? New Constellations is a Portland-based duo comprised of lifelong friends Harlee Case and Josh Smith. According to the press release for their debut album, It Comes In Waves, which is out Friday, May 15th via Nettwerk, “Written over the course of three years and recorded between Portland and Los Angeles, It Comes In Waves is a record shaped by time, trust, and emotional honesty. Spanning 13 tracks that drift between ethereal dream-pop and euphoric dance-pop, the album reflects New Constellations’ belief that life unfolds in cycles, grief and joy, heartbreak and renewal, certainty and doubt, all arriving in waves.

Case waxes poetic about the album, stating, “The majority of the music is about relationships that I’ve been in, some of it really happy and some of it really heart-wrenching. In general, life comes in waves. Grief comes in waves. Happiness comes in waves. If you live long enough, you know you’re going to experience all these different types of things.” Smith explained, “‘It Comes In Waves’ is a phrase I’ve used in my life for a lot of different situations. There’s an ebb and a flow, and life is not what’s ahead of you. Life is what is happening to you at that moment.”

I was fortunate enough to be able to listen to the album ahead of its release, and one of the songs that stood out to me was “I Disappear.” I liked it so much I knew we had to share it with you as part of our Singles Spotlight series. Via the album’s press release, Case said, “I was going through a really heavy time, and ‘I Disappear’ was written as a stream of consciousness. It’s based on the idea that when you start to spiral about shit and get super in your head about something, you disappear from yourself and the present moment. I believe so much in the law of attraction and manifestation, which also works oppositely. If I’m capable of controlling outcomes with my mind, then I’m fucked right now, because I’m stuck in this loop.” Right on. Relatable for many, if not all of us. And worthy of shedding some spotlight on and serving as an intro to the duo and their music on SWT.

The opening lyrics are a call to arms for your brain. The melody is percussively heavy, balancing grooves and softer moments that allow Case’s vocal range and delivery to shine. And stick you with. She has a memorable tone. The lyrics explore the complex feelings of self-doubt, losing yourself, anxiety, and more without being overwhelming to all senses. The songwriting and songcrafting are incredible. While listening, you may disappear along with Case as you empathize with the protagonist’s struggles. Check out this gorgeous song for yourself and tell us what you think.

Enjoy the vintage vibes in the video for the awesome song, “I Disappear” from New Constellations’ YouTube channel:

(All credits and rights to New Constellations)

The cover art for It Comes In Waves:

The track list for It Comes In Waves:

1. Intro (Nothing Stays the Same)
2. Secret Safe
3. I Disappear
4. Say That You Will
5. Hot Blooded
6. I’m Waiting Now
7. Waterslides
8. Caught On Your Line
9. Dandelion
10. Sun Chasing the Rain
11. Believe Again
12. Edge of the World
13. Do What You Want

Alex M Theel

Co-Founder, Reviewer, Content Creator, Business side, Editor at Scummy Water Tower Productions | Web

Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site, scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions and SWT Interviews. And all of our socials.
Questions, feedback, or more? Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com