Constant Follower releases haunting new single 'Patient Has Own Supply' via Last Night From Glasgow, a stirring exploration of resilience and self-reliance
The Smile You Send Out Returns To You is due out on February 28th via Last Night From Glasgow
Tour dates announced
“The band exhibits a misty, subdued magnetism to their songcraft, evoking verdant folk arrangements but shading them with an otherworldly tension.” Under The Radar
“A gorgeous listen, full of bucolic melody and personal revelation, an album unafraid to speak its truth.” Clash Magazine
Acclaimed Scottish band Constant Follower, led by singer-songwriter Stephen McAll, return with their evocative new single, 'Patient Has Own Supply'. Known for their introspective, ethereal soundscapes, Constant Follower once again delves into personal and universal themes, exploring resilience in the face of overwhelming struggle. The single is part of their forthcoming album, The Smile You Send Out Returns To You, an exploration of recovery, connection, and the redemptive power of kindness.
'Patient Has Own Supply' tells a deeply personal story rooted in McAll's teenage years. Following a harrowing experience with substance experimentation that led to hospitalisation, he received little compassion or guidance, leaving him feeling isolated and abandoned. The title of the song echoes the clinical phrase coldly written on his discharge form. The single pairs McAll’s haunting vocals with a dark, immersive soundscape, evoking the silent battles often fought alone and the inner resilience required to survive them.
The single comes alongside a moving music video directed by McAll's childhood friend. Of the video, he says:
"The video for Patient Has Own Supply was directed by Martin J Pickering, who grew up with me in Glasgo. We shared many of the same formative experiences, both good and bad. The faceless beast, the Constant Follower, represents the trauma that so many of us carry. On the occasion of my greatest need from the NHS, I experienced isolation and fear at the hands of those who were supposed to care for me, and that feeling still lingers. The video also reflects the deeper, ongoing failure of systems meant to heal but which too often leave us with more scars—something I was reminded of recently with the loss of my friend Jake, who was killed while under the care of NHS Forth Valley Psychiatric Services."
Born and raised in Glasgow and now working out of his studio in Stirling, McAll’s tenacity has shone through in his musical output. His debut album, Neither Is, Nor Ever Was (Shimmy Disc, 2021), was critically acclaimed and shortlisted for the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award. Following this, his 2023 release Even Days Dissolve, also SAY nominated, was a remarkable collaboration with primitive guitarist Scott William Urquhart. Earlier this year, a double A-side single marked a turning point, paving the way for his upcoming album, The Smile You Send Out Returns To You.
The Smile You Send Out Returns To You is an album that promises to stop listeners in their tracks. With shades of Low’s emotional heft and the sonic curiosity of Mark Hollis, it’s a deeply personal record that reflects on McAll’s life experiences, including the lasting impact of his head injury, and his journey through parenthood.
The album’s creation began in a remote cabin near the Scottish town of Callander during the pandemic, funded by Creative Scotland. "The way that I write is very, very solitary," McAll explains. "It’s like you’re being guided." From there, the songs took shape in his Stirling studio, with close collaborators contributing to the intricate soundscapes. The final touches were made in Austin, Texas, with producer Dan Duszynski, known for his work with Loma and Brian Eno.
As McAll prepares to release The Smile You Send Out Returns To You, he reflects on the long journey that brought him here. "In those wilderness years, I was so depressed. Just lost. It was only really when I started writing songs that I felt like I had purpose," he shares. "Calling myself a musician is a stretch, but I’m proud to call myself a songwriter."
‘Patient Has Own Supply' is out now on all major streaming platforms, offering a glimpse into the world of The Smile You Send Out Returns To You, set for release on February 28th, 2025 via Last Night From Glasgow.
Tracklist
The Smile You Send Out Returns To You
Almost Time To Go
Happy Birthdays
Gentle Teaching
It's Only Silence
Pre-order album here
Live Dates
8th Nov Kirkcaldy, King’s Theatre
16th Nov Kinloss, The Loft
13th Dec Stirling, The Smith
14th Dec London, Kings Place
27th Feb Glasgow, Cottiers Theatre (Album Launch)
Connect with Constant Follower online
