Album by Casey

This one landed a little differently upon repeat liatenings.

At first, it came across as a heavier shoegaze record built on that wall-of-sound approach, but spending more time with it, there’s something softer underneath. It leans just as much into dreamy pop and ambient textures as it does into heavier guitar work, with a clear focus on melody.

There’s a melancholy running through the whole album. It deals a lot with grief, memory, and what’s left behind, but it never feels completely weighed down by it. There’s a sense of trying to make sense of things rather than just sitting in them.

“Unique Lights” sets that tone right away. It’s dreamy and restrained, but emotionally heavy, with a refrain about being happy now that feels more like someone trying to convince themselves.

“I Was Happy When You Died” is one of the more affecting moments, exploring the idea that the people we lose never really leave us in the ways we expect.

“Those That I’m Survived By” is where everything opens up. It starts slow and intricate, then builds into something much bigger — drums hitting harder, guitars rising, and the vocals pushing into a full release.

“Space Between” ended up being one of my favorites. It stays restrained for most of its runtime, then builds into a quiet, emotional crescendo that feels more reflective than explosive.

The title track “How to Disappear” closes things out in an interesting way. It repeats that idea of wanting to disappear, but the music itself feels almost uplifting, which gives it a strange sense of resolve rather than finality.

Elsewhere, “For Katie” adds a more immediate, melodic moment, “Saleh” leans into something more ambient and searching, “St. Peter” strips things back to a simple piano ballad, and “Puncture Wounds to Heaven” hits more directly in that shoegaze/rock space.

This is a really good album overall. It sounds great, has a few standout moments, and even at its saddest, there’s a sense of resilience running through it.

Verdict: Solid

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