Cactus Moon Returns with Spooky Double Single “Howl” and “Afterlife”

Out October 30, 2025

Following the release of their debut album in August, Cactus Moon is back with a haunting new treat for fans that drops today (October 30). The band is sharing a double single, “Howl” and “Afterlife,” just in time for Halloween — offering two darkly atmospheric tracks that dive into the shadows of their sound.

Whereas their debut album was a blend of hazy West Coast psychedelia and soulful Western folk with a surfy twist, their  new release takes a detour into dark wave pop and gothic folk territory. “Afterlife” pulses with eerie synth textures and nocturnal rhythms, while “Howl” conjures a ghostly beauty - the first track the duo has released featuring both their voices.

With this release, Cactus Moon proves they’re not bound by genre — only by imagination. Both tracks bring a brooding mood and seasonal spirit, perfect for anyone curating a Halloween music playlist or looking to add a spooky soundtrack to the season.

Much like their last release ‘Day for Night’, these songs were inspired in part by their cinematic connection. “I wrote this song after watching ‘The Witch’ by Robert Eggers” says lead guitarist Jake DeJongh. “The film provoked memories I had of wandering alongside the corn fields at night when I couldn’t sleep….we lived in a big old creaky farmhouse surrounded by corn fields and woods in Iowa when I was a kid. I had many superstitions and was certain the place was haunted”. 

The companion single “Afterlife” shows a different side of the spirit world, one where the point of view is of the one doing the haunting. “I wrote this song to cast a spell, in a way” lead singer Chelsea Smith says of the chorus line “I will haunt your dreams, you’ll see”. “That being said, I’m a good witch I would never wish anyone harm. The song was really just reflecting on a relationship that kept coming back from the dead no matter how much I tried to kill it. There was a strong psychic connection I had with this person even when we weren’t speaking.” 

“Howl” and “Afterlife” are available now on major streaming platforms.

ABOUT CACTUS MOON

Cactus Moon is a Boise-based western folk duo formed by singer-songwriter Chelsea Smith and multi-instrumentalist/producer Freeman DeJongh, blending exceptional lyricism, analog warmth, and groove-driven instrumentation into a sound that feels both nostalgic and boldly modern. With roots in Portland’s psych rock scene and the West Coast country circuit, Cactus Moon sits at the forefront of a rising wave of artists redefining the Boise sound with a lush, cinematic soundscape that fuses folkloric storytelling and guitar-driven textures. 

Cactus Moon’s debut album, Day For Night (out August 2025), channeled themes of illusion, emotional duality, and creative resilience, inspired by the filmic technique of simulating nighttime in broad daylight. Smith, also a filmmaker and longtime former Director of Treefort Music Festival’s Filmfort, brings beguiling vocals and introspective lyricism to the project, while DeJongh—whose credits span over 75 recent releases—adds a signature instrumental depth. With a genre-bending sound that evokes the melodious folk jams you might hear while frequenting the corner saloon on a full moon night, Cactus Moon invites listeners into an irresistible world that feels both familiar and just a little bit surreal.