more from
Sacred Bones Records
We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Kenneth Anger

by Constant Smiles

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $7 USD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Beautiful digipack CD

    Includes unlimited streaming of Kenneth Anger via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 2 days
    2 remaining
    Purchasable with gift card

      $13 USD or more 

     

  • Test Pressing
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    One of a kind test pressing of Kenneth Anger with individual photograph collage

    Includes unlimited streaming of Kenneth Anger via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

  • Sacred Bones Scorpio Rising Edition
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Sacred Bones mail-order exclusive version: Edition of 250 copies, pressed on "Scorpio Rising" color vinyl. ONE PER PERSON LIMIT.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Kenneth Anger via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

  • Blue Eyes Vinyl
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Includes unlimited streaming of Kenneth Anger via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

1.
Finding Ways 05:13
2.
In My Heart 02:55
3.
4.
5.
6.
Emma #7 00:21
7.
8.
Loaded Anger 03:45
9.
10.
Off Again 06:24

about

Over the last half decade, the music collective Constant Smiles has produced a prolific output of acclaimed music, culminating in their forthcoming record Kenneth Anger, masterfully brought to life by engineer Jonathan Schenke (Parquet Courts, Liars, Dougie Pool). The group is known most recently for their much-praised debut album for SacredBones records, Paragons, an emotionally resonant offering of indie folk masterpieces that all confront the internal ways we process our struggles with intimacies, addiction and humanity—produced by Ben Greenberg.

Constant Smiles’ primary singer/songwriter Ben Jones uses the creative process as a tool for working through deeply transformative periods in his life. The band’s indie folk music lays bare this internal process, but on Kenneth Anger, the music shifts to synth pop and looks externally, examining creativity, community, ritual, and their place in the healing process. Ritual takes a primary role in the eponymous Kenneth Anger. Not only is auteur Kenneth Anger himself known for his sensorial depictions of ritual, Jones often used the films as a silent visual back drop during his songwriting sessions, a ritual that grounded the creation of the album. And while the director’s use of saturated color inspired the warm ‘80s synth style production, the director’s trailblazing spirit of authenticity also pushed Jones through his most vulnerable expression to date.

While the narrative undertones of the songs deal with fear and isolation and anxiety, the songs themselves were created through the healing process of ritual, and enriched with collaboration, community and trust. The resulting music produces a balm that can genuinely recalibrate the nervous system. The listener journeys through the depths of every track while being lifted and guided by the music’s transformative, hypnotic power and this illustrates one of the foundational accomplishments of the album. Just as a Kenneth Anger film explores the underbelly of the unconscious through often soothing proto-asmr visuals, Kenneth Anger the album conjures the underworld into a series of synth pop classics.

credits

released March 3, 2023

All songs written and produced by Constant Smiles as part of the Divine Cycle trilogy

Recorded in The Void and Speaking Mountain Studio
Engineered and Mastered by Jonathan Schenke at Studio Windows
Cover image and insert shot by Ebru Yildiz

Constant Smiles
Mike Mackey
Emma Conley - Violin - (6)
Spike Currier - Bass - (1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Lena Fjortoft - Vocals - (1, 2, 5, 7)
Blaze Bateh
Carrie Schaff
Jai Berger - Synths - (1, 2, 4, 10)
Chris Liberato
Adam Lipsky - Piano - (8)
Nicky Wetherell - Cello - (3)
Jonathan Schenke
Ryan Jewell - Drums
Will Roan
Cassandra Jenkins
Matt Addison
Taia - Vocals - (3)

Special Thanks to: Cassandra Jenkins, Katie Garcia, Kenneth Anger, Ebru Yildiz, Mikey Gunn, Joel Ford, Fred Thomas, Sam Mason, Adam Sierzputowski and Sacred Bones.

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Constant Smiles Massachusetts

Over the last half decade, the music collective Constant Smiles has produced a prolific output of acclaimed music, culminating in their forthcoming record Kenneth Anger, masterfully brought to life by engineer Jonathan Schenke (Parquet Courts, Liars, Dougie Pool). The group is known most recently for their much-praised debut album for Sacred Bones records, Paragons, produced by Ben Greenberg. ... more

contact / help

Contact Constant Smiles

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

Constant Smiles recommends:

If you like Constant Smiles, you may also like: