After nine years of honing their craft in the shadows of the Pacific Northwest, Portland’s indie-pop duo New Constellations is finally stepping into the full light of day. Their debut album, It Comes In Waves, is set for release on May 15 via Nettwerk, marking the end of a three-year creative odyssey. Following the staggering success of their breakout single "Hot Blooded"—which has comfortably cruised past 100 million global streams—the duo of Harlee Case and Josh Smith are proving that they are far more than a viral moment; they are a resonant, synth-driven pulse in a genre often accused of prioritizing style over substance.
The album serves as a sonic time capsule, capturing what the duo describes as a period of "love, heartache, failures and triumphs" experienced over three of the most pivotal years of their lives. For Case and Smith, the process was less about a calculated studio schedule and more about an organic documentation of growth. "The songs... really capture that moment and season of our lives," they explain, noting that the long-term writing process allowed them to honor the specific shifts in their personal landscape.
However, documenting real life in real time isn’t without its friction. The duo is refreshingly candid about the emotional gymnastics required to write honestly without burning bridges. "Writing about your real life in real time is always a wild challenge because you’re trying to toe the line of what is true to you and also what is hard for others," they admit. For an artist whose "best art comes from the depths of my heart," there is a constant, delicate struggle to be vulnerable while still "trying to figure out how to be honest and also protect people I have loved."
This tension between protection and revelation is what gives It Comes In Waves its weight. Despite their long history of releasing singles, the transition to a full-length album required a new level of intentionality. After selecting existing songs to tell their story, the pair wrote three new tracks specifically to fill the gaps in the narrative, a process where "each step felt kismet and like another perfect piece of the puzzle fell into place." While the album features familiar favorites like "I Disappear" and "Believe Again," fans should look forward to "Dandelion," a track both Harlee and Josh cited as a standout they are most excited for the world to hear.
Ultimately, the duo views the project as a mirror for the listener. They aren't interested in providing easy escapes, but rather a space for shared "self-reflection and self-discovery." They describe themselves as "two people trying our best to navigate this world," and emphasize that "there are just as many questions in our music as there are answers." By leaning into the uncertainty, they hope to inspire a sense of community in the chaos. "I hope that people can see themselves in our music," they share. "I hope they believe that things can get better and that a little hope can change your life."
And the timing of the release couldn't be more cinematic. New Constellations is currently providing direct support for The Midnight on their Time Machines 2026 North American tour, hitting major stages from the Brooklyn Paramount to the Paramount in Seattle. In a poetic bit of scheduling, the tour concludes at the Hollywood Palladium on May 15—the same day the album drops. From there, the duo heads to BottleRock Napa Valley and SXSW before launching their own world tour this September, spanning Europe, North America, and finally, Mexico. For a band that has spent nearly a decade finding their voice, it seems the waves are finally breaking in their favor.
It Comes In Waves hits the shelves on May 15, keep an eye out for it!
Photo by Mandie Jackson
