Nashville-based band The Constellations consume across their new album Problematic For The People, pairing infectious melodic satiation with ruminations on love, heartache, and youth. With a sound that balances tender folk warmth and punchy rock energy, the album feels at once familiar and fresh.
Originally formed in Atlanta in 2008, The Constellations underwent a hiatus for several years, before re-emerging in mid-2023. Frontman Elijah Jones found his recent songwriting, for his project Elijah Jones & the CCs, being more in line with The Constellations; this consequently brought to life a new era for The Constellations — comprising Erik Matthijs on guitar/synth, Jared Wuestenberg on bass, and Nicholas Ferrell on drums.
“Louise” opens the album with inviting qualities, melding quaint piano and heartfelt vocals — emitting a smitten description of the titular character. “I’m hooked on her love, she’s my ball and my chain,” Jones lets out, driving into twanging guitars and a soaring vocal disposition during the memorable chorus. Wordless vocal jubilation and murmuring guitar lines comprise an engaging bridge at mid-point, demonstrating the act’s knack for balancing melodic immediacy and intriguing lyrical narratives.
The subsequent “Before I Take You Home” continues the feelings of adoration. “If I had a heart, I’d let you break it,” Jones sings, building from easy-going guitar into more expressive ardency in the second half. One of the album’s standouts comes next in “Lightly To Your Love,” showcasing a chorus that reminds to “take it easy on yourself, enjoy the show,” while embracing youth; it plays like an antidote to age-related anxieties, further reassuring that “not every question has an answer.” “Lightly To Your Love” is an especially magnetic piece of songwriting, showing shades of R.E.M. and Teenage Fanclub in its jangly rock arsenal.
A punchy rock production takes hold on “Wrong Thing,” melding pulsing guitar chords with introspection into a satiating title-referencing chorus; the bolstering distortion and “I’ve seen the devil, and he don’t scare me,” lyrical fearlessness prove commanding. “The Kiss” follows with an amiable blend of acoustics, shimmering organs, and swooning vocal harmonies. “Started out as friends,” the vocals begin during the more folk-centric sequence, arising into the multiplicities of love — from friendships to lovers. Problematic For The People continues to impress in its range of hooky songwriting and lyrical depictions of love, aging, and personal contemplations.
“They’ll be coming for my bones,” Jones soars on the captivating “Coming For My Bones,” where prancing keys and twangy guitars build for a vibrant entrancement. The track serves as a jubilant, enjoyable drive to the folk mystique apparent on the finale “Say Goodnight.” Acoustics and guitar twangs complement a steady vocal presence. “Say goodnight to a drunken fool,” Jones begins, continuing to ponder what’s worse — “losing you or having had you in the first place.” The concluding track is further exemplary of The Constellations’ tendency for quality songwriting, apparent consistently throughout the excellent Problematic For The People.
