Moonflowers Album Preview as Constant Smiles Release Latest Single
Constant Smiles have shared a video for “Allowed To Be”, the latest track from their upcoming album Moonflowers, which arrives November 7th through Felte. Sam Mason, who has previously worked with Mac Miller and Future Islands, directed the piece, assembling a cast of New York artists including Leya, Bobby Puleo, Long Beard, Shahzad Ismaily, Bambara, Mallory Hawk, Ann Messner, Slowspin, and Katie von Schleicher.
Artist: Constant Smiles
Release Date: 2025-11-07
Genres: Dream Pop, Indie Rock
Label: Felte Records
Description: Constant Smiles share "Allowed To Be" video directed by Sam Mason, featuring NYC artists ahead of Moonflowers album on Felte November 7th.
The band’s Ben Jones describes the video as initially conceived around his neighbor Bobby Puleo, a skateboard figure whose art practice caught the attention of the project’s creators. The concept expanded to incorporate various artists from Jones’ immediate creative circle. Leya operates from nearby premises, while Blaze from Bambara has maintained long-term involvement with Constant Smiles. Shahzad Ismaily contributed to the album’s recording process, and Slowspin represents another desired collaboration that materialized for the video.
Moonflowers represents the band’s first release for Felte following their formation in 2009 on Martha’s Vineyard. The project operated through various configurations and geographic bases before establishing a consistent lineup when drummer Nora Knight joined Jones and bassist Spike Currier in late 2022. Previous iterations of the band produced releases through Sacred Bones Records and various limited-run formats, often named after film directors.
The current three-piece formation recorded the album with producer Katie Von Schleicher and engineer Phil Weinrobe, known for work with Hand Habits and Tomberlin. Additional contributions came from Cassandra Jenkins, who provides vocals on the closing track “Time Measured in Moonflowers”, and members of touring partners Idle Ray.
Ben Jones established Constant Smiles as a solo project while residing on Martha’s Vineyard, operating the band through frequent lineup changes and stylistic shifts across its first decade. The project’s early phases produced albums across genres from electronic music to chamber pop, distributed through limited pressings and unconventional release methods. A relocation to New York and subsequent Sacred Bones releases expanded the band’s audience while maintaining their experimental approach to composition and performance.
The songwriting for Moonflowers occurred during the band’s first European tour and subsequent American dates, with material developed through live performance before studio recording. Knight takes lead vocals on “Harriman”, while “Allowed To Be” features violin arrangements alongside acoustic guitar and vocal harmonies.
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