Lopez Island–Brighton duo Disaster Fantasy return with their most conceptually ambitious work to date, releasing new single ‘The Hourglass’, the title track from their forthcoming EP, due April 3rd.
Marking a darker turn in the pair’s sonic palette, the track leans into shadowy textures and cinematic atmosphere. Built on a pulsing electronic backbone, ‘The Hourglass’ layers intricate vocal harmonies over a lo-fi, analog-tinged production style. Atmospheric reverbs and swelling, psychedelic synths evoke a distinctly vintage new wave sensibility, while a brooding, dystopian tone runs throughout.
As the track progresses, its insistent rhythm and central synth motif gradually evolve. Subtle shifts in basslines and melodic phrasing guide the arrangement forward, while distant, reverb-soaked guitar fragments drift in and out, adding tension and depth. The result is a slow-burning escalation that culminates in a powerful, immersive climax.
Speaking about the single and the wider EP, lead vocalist Ryann Donnelly explains:
“This will be the most conceptually-driven thing we’ve released. ‘The Hourglass’ is a whole world. The stories in the songs are told from the perspective of characters who have some connection to a fictional bar in Los Angeles called The Hourglass.”
Drawing inspiration from the surreal worlds of David Lynch, Donnelly likens the setting to iconic fictional spaces such as One Eyed Jack’s from Twin Peaks or Silencio from Mulholland Drive.
“Bad things happen there; it’s mysterious and crooked, and there’s maybe even some esoteric, metaphysical force under the surface,” she adds.
Beyond its narrative framework, the project explores a central thematic concern: time.
“It’s a fairly direct metaphor for time—specifically, the fear of time running out. Every character in these songs has an anxious relationship to time,” Donnelly says, noting how real-life creative pressures shaped the writing process. “Byron and I often have limited time in which to write and record, and it ended up coming through thematically.”
Disaster Fantasy is a collaboration between Donnelly—also known for her work with Schoolyard Heroes—and multi-instrumentalist Byron Kalet, whose background includes Journal of Popular Noise and Popular Noise Records. Both artists emerged from the Pacific Northwest’s dark and experimental music scene, now working remotely between Lopez Island and Brighton.
Sonically, the duo continue to build on their established blend of disco, alternative pop and experimental electronica. Their sound draws from synth pioneers like Kraftwerk and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, while inviting comparisons to modern acts such as LCD Soundsystem, Robyn and Blondie.
With growing support from outlets including Clash, Post-Punk, Notion and Atwood Magazine, Disaster Fantasy are steadily building momentum ahead of the EP’s release.
‘The Hourglass’ is out now, offering a compelling glimpse into a shadowy, time-obsessed world—one that will fully unfold when the EP arrives on April 3rd.