Reading Time: 12 min read

13 Alluringly Awesome After Songs [๐Ÿ“ท: Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype, Pexels]13 Alluringly Awesome After Songs ๐ŸŽง features music by Black Atlass, Cyndi Lauper, Ed Sheeran, Janet Jackson, Joji & Taylor Swift.

You know, some say that the AFTERparty is sweeter than the party itself.  Perhaps, thatโ€™s the case, and perhaps, itโ€™s not really important either. What is important is the word AFTER, which purposely appears in ALL CAPS because itโ€™s what drives this, the 177th playlist on The Musical Hype in 2020.  Previously, weโ€™ve bestowed the likes of ๐ŸŽง 11 Songs Where the โ€˜Beforeโ€™ is Key (2019) and ๐ŸŽง 12 Simply Terrific Before or After Songs (2020).  Now, we show some love exclusively to all things after-!

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13 Alluringly Awesome After Songs ๐ŸŽง features music by ๐ŸŽ™ Black Atlass, ๐ŸŽ™ Cyndi Lauper, ๐ŸŽ™ Ed Sheeran, ๐ŸŽ™ Janet Jackson, ๐ŸŽ™ Joji and ๐ŸŽ™ Taylor Swift among others.  Even with these sweet songs tickling our afterwards fancy, there were numerous others omitted! Shame on us.  Nonetheless, sink your teeth into this hearty helping of after-, where thereโ€™s a little something for everybody!

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1. Ed Sheeran, โ€œAfterglowโ€

๐ŸŽต โ€œAfterglowโ€ โ€ข ๐Ÿท Atlantic โ€ข ๐Ÿ—“ 2020

Ed Sheeran, "Afterglow" [๐Ÿ“ท: Asylum UK / Atlantic UK / Warner Music UK]โ€œOh, I will hold on to the afterglow.โ€ ๐Ÿ† Grammy-winner ๐ŸŽ™ Ed Sheeran returned with a new single, ๐ŸŽต โ€œAfterglowโ€, just days before Christmas Day ๐ŸŽ„ 2020. โ€œAfterglowโ€ is a singer/songwriter-style pop cut, which in a sense, is a return of the Sheeran of old.  Early on, the accompaniment arrives courtesy of rhythm guitar, delivering a simple but effective harmonic progression.  Eventually, thereโ€™s synthesizer, courtesy of one of the songโ€™s producers, ๐ŸŽ™ Parisi, which adds more depth.  Still, thereโ€™s always this sense of simplicity, yet it feels sufficient. In addition to Parisi, Sheeran produces alongside ๐ŸŽ™ FRED.

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Ed Sheeran sounds quite nice here, delivering a mix of tender and more energetic and emotionally charged vocals on this โ€˜strippedโ€™ number.  Itโ€™s not truly stripped, thanks to the addition of synthesizer, as well as the use of vocoder.  Still, that seems to be the effect Sheeran was going for, and he successfully executes.  It should come as no surprise, like so many musicians in love, โ€œAfterglowโ€ is written about his wife.

โ€œWe were love-drunk, waiting on a miracle
Tryna find ourselves in the winter snow
So alone in love like the world had disappeared
Oh, I wonโ€™t be silent, and I wonโ€™t let go
I will hold on tighter โ€˜til the afterglow
And weโ€™ll burn so bright โ€˜til the darkness softly clears.โ€


2. Joji, โ€œAfterthoughtโ€

Ft. BENEE

๐Ÿ’ฟ Nectar โ€ข ๐Ÿท 88rising /12Tone Music โ€ข ๐Ÿ—“ 2020 

Joji, Nectar [๐Ÿ“ท: 88rising / 12Tone Music]โ€œWhen life gets too complicated / Please stand with me after dark / Iโ€™ll stay in the limelight / Like a beautiful afterthought.โ€ On ๐ŸŽต โ€œAfterthought,โ€ ๐ŸŽ™ Joji continues to deliver a sweet listening experience on his sophomore album, ๐Ÿ’ฟ Nectar.  He doesnโ€™t do it all by himself either, enlisting BENEE for the assist โ€“ F-N A!

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On โ€œAfterthought,โ€ Jojiโ€™s vocals float along; he never forces things.  The same can be said of BENEE, who provides contrast on the second verse.  One of the most beautiful sections is the outro, where both artists, separately, sing, โ€œI donโ€™t wanna forget about you.โ€ Aww ๐Ÿ˜!


3. Meghan Trainor, โ€œAfter You (Remix)โ€

Ft. AJ Mitchell

๐Ÿ’ฟ Treat Myself โ€ข ๐Ÿท Epic โ€ข ๐Ÿ—“ 2020 

Meghan Trainor, Treat Myself [Photo Credit: Epic]๐Ÿ’ฟTreat Myself, the delayed third album by Grammy-winning pop artist, ๐ŸŽ™ Meghan Trainor, arrived more than a year later than its original release date. None of the singles from Treat Myself really caught on, and the album debuted modestly on the Billboard 200 (a tepid no. 25). With a delay, poor commercial performance, and perhaps still having trouble shedding some narrow minded views from her past, is Treat Myself worth the time? It has its moments, including the โ€˜afterโ€™ song at hand, ๐ŸŽต โ€œAfter You.โ€ Worth noting, โ€œAfter Youโ€ originally appeared on ๐Ÿ’ฟ The Love Train (EP), released in 2019.

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๐ŸŽ™ AJ Mitchell is one of the few male collaborators on the Treat Myself.  Mitchell provides Trainor a lift on the ballad, which I previously criticized for feeling โ€œa bit too โ€˜vanilla.โ€™โ€ The vocal harmonies are quite lovely as they sing together, while the vocal production is pretty sweet as well.  Their bread is buttered on the chorus, as well as the bridge section.

โ€œDonโ€™t wanna give my heart to someone new
Wonโ€™t be anybody after you
And even if one day, our time is through
Wonโ€™t be anybody after you, after you
Iโ€™ll never find another lover after you.โ€

Overall, the remixed version of โ€œAfter Youโ€ is a winning record, thanks to assertiveness from Trainor who eschews any cutesy stuff, as well as adding Mitchell.

Also appears on ๐Ÿ”ฝ:

๐Ÿ”— ๐ŸŽง 12 Simply Terrific Before or After Songs


4. Black Atlass, โ€œNight After Nightโ€

๐Ÿ’ฟ Dream Awake โ€ข ๐Ÿท XO / Republic โ€ข ๐Ÿ—“ 2020

Black Atlass, Dream Awake [๐Ÿ“ท: Republic]After a two-year hiatus, Canadian-bred, LA-based musician ๐ŸŽ™ Alex Fleming, better known as ๐ŸŽ™ Black Atlass, returned with his third album, ๐Ÿ’ฟ Dream Awake. Dream Awake is an enjoyable, sexy, and well-rounded contemporary R&B album.  Those comparisons to The Weeknd โ€“ well, their definitely not far-fetched.  That said, Fleming does a fine job throughout the album showing heโ€™s a superb musician in his own right.

โ€œIf I can make you love me again / Iโ€™ll keep the summertime on your skin / You speedinโ€™ past all our exes / I donโ€™t wanna end up like them.โ€ On ๐ŸŽต โ€œNight After Nightโ€ the vibe of Dream Awake continues pops, with sleek production work courtesy of ๐ŸŽ™ DANNYBOYSTYLES and ๐ŸŽ™ Oligee. The record brilliantly uses an electronic-based backdrop (keyboards, synths, programming), while remaining idiomatic of R&B, particularly that stellar Canadian R&B sound. Fleming is consistent, continuing to build a love-driven, sensual script, particularly as he โ€˜brings it on homeโ€™ on the chorus.

โ€œMy woman
Iโ€™ll be your man
And baby Iโ€™ll give you my life in your hands
I know you wanna feel alive, donโ€™t you?
Night after night (Night after night)
Night after night (Night after night).โ€

Also appears on ๐Ÿ”ฝ:

๐Ÿ”— ๐ŸŽง 12 Simply Terrific Before or After Songs


5. Taylor Swift, โ€œAfterglowโ€

๐Ÿ’ฟ Lover โ€ข ๐Ÿท Taylor Swift โ€ข ๐Ÿ—“ 2019

Taylor Swift, Lover [๐Ÿ“ท: Taylor Swift]โ€œHey, itโ€™s all me, in my head / Iโ€™m the one who burned us down.โ€ ๐Ÿ† Grammy-winner ๐ŸŽ™ Taylor Swift takes responsibility for her actions in the relationship on ๐ŸŽต โ€œAfterglow,โ€ the 15th track on her Grammy-nominated pop album, ๐Ÿ’ฟ Lover.  No, โ€œAfterglowโ€ doesnโ€™t approach the top echelon of the album, but itโ€™s certainly another worthwhile moment.

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From the get-go, Swift is apologetic for her wrongs: โ€œI blew things out of proportion, now youโ€™re blue / Put you in jail for something you didnโ€™t do.โ€ On the second verse, sheโ€™s similarly bothered by the situation she created: โ€œItโ€™s so excruciating to see you low / Just wanna lift you up and not let you go.โ€ Basically, on this ๐ŸŽ™ Frank Dukes, ๐ŸŽ™ Louis Bell, and Swift-produced track, she wants to atone for her mistakes and preserve the relationship.  Sensible and relatable by all means.


6. Tame Impala, โ€œPosthumous Forgivenessโ€

๐Ÿ’ฟ The Slow Rush โ€ข ๐Ÿท Island / Modular Recordings Pty Ltd โ€ข ๐Ÿ—“ 2020

Tame Impala, The Slow Rush [Photo Credits: Modular Recordings / Island]๐ŸŽต โ€œPosthumous Forgivenessโ€ is a standout from ๐Ÿ’ฟ The Slow Rush, the 2020 comeback album by Australian alternative collective ๐ŸŽ™ Tame Impala. Essentially, ๐ŸŽ™ Kevin Parker is forgiving his father after heโ€™s passed away.  On the first part of the song, he sings about how much admiration he had when he was younger for his dad but became aware of his flaws.  โ€œDid you think Iโ€™d never know? Never wise up as I grow?โ€ he sings on the chorus. Furthermore, Parker is bothered by the fact that his dad wasted time, and ultimately, โ€œโ€ฆDecided to take all your sorrys to the grave.โ€

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On the second part of the record, Parker embraces forgiveness more.  Sure, he still mentions their estranged, tenuous relationship, but also, he wishes he had the opportunity to atone and repair for the relationship. Although a lengthy number, itโ€™s quite intriguing from a lyrical and thematic standpoint, as well as musically.  Musically, Tame Impala provide a backdrop incorporating psychedelia, retro cues, and marvelous soulful elements.  Vocally, Parker remains utterly superb, singing beautifully and expressively on this gem.

Also appears on ๐Ÿ”ฝ:

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7. Kali Uchis, โ€œAfter the Stormโ€

Ft. Tyler, the Creator & Bootsy Collins

๐Ÿ’ฟ Isolation โ€ข ๐Ÿท Virgin โ€ข ๐Ÿ—“ 2018

Kali Uchis, Isolation [๐Ÿ“ท: Virgin]

โ€œDid you ever wonder? / Yeah, do you ever wonder / What he might be going through on his own, and / The demons that heโ€™s facing alone.โ€ Colombian American R&B singer ๐ŸŽ™ Kali Uchis impresses on her soulful, if quietly released debut album, ๐Ÿ’ฟ Isolation. The crowning achievement of Isolation is ๐ŸŽต โ€œAfter the Stormโ€, featuring the legendary ๐ŸŽ™ Bootsy Collins and a classy rap from Grammy winner, ๐ŸŽ™ Tyler, the Creator (โ€œKali, what you mean? I take it offensive / โ€˜Cause Iโ€™m the hottest flower boy / That popped up on the sceneโ€ฆโ€).

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Uchis delivers cool, calm, and collected vocals, yet still manages to pack a punch and exhibit both artistry and personality.  Thematically, she reflects upon a breakup. The chorus is vital to say the least:

โ€œThe sunโ€™ll come out, nothing good ever comes easy
I know times are rough, but winners donโ€™t quit
So, donโ€™t you give up, the sunโ€™ll come out
But weโ€™ve been struggling endlessly
Someday, weโ€™ll find the love
โ€˜Cause after the stormโ€™s when the flowers bloom.โ€

The feel-good, 70s-sounding soul gem is produced by hip-hop jazz collective ๐ŸŽ™ BADBADNOTGOOD.

Also appears on ๐Ÿ”ฝ:

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8. The Weeknd, โ€œAfter Hoursโ€

๐Ÿ’ฟ After Hours โ€ข ๐Ÿท Republic โ€ข ๐Ÿ—“ 2020 

The Weeknd, After Hours [๐Ÿ“ท: Republic]๐ŸŽต โ€œAfter Hoursโ€ (๐Ÿ’ฟAfter Hours) is a throwback for ๐ŸŽ™ The Weekend; it sounds like his ultra-moody music of the past.  Itโ€™s long (north of six-minutes), but the vibe, vocal performance, and the production compensate.  The production (๐ŸŽ™ Illangelo, ๐ŸŽ™ Jason โ€œDaHealaโ€ Quenneville, and ๐ŸŽ™ Mario Winans) is satisfying to the nth degree: dark and moody (in a minor key) with cutting-edge synths and an infectious groove.  Of course, itโ€™s that potent falsetto by The Weekend atop the backdrop that seals the deal.

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Beyond the sound and vocals, the theme encompassing matters of the heart amplifies excellence.  He thrives on heartbreak.  The crowning achievement is the chorus. Abel Tesfaye is in his zone here, and thatโ€™s always a winning formula.

Also appears on ๐Ÿ”ฝ:

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9. Shawn Mendes, โ€œAftertasteโ€

๐Ÿ’ฟ Handwritten โ€ข ๐Ÿท Island โ€ข ๐Ÿ—“ 2015

Shawn Mendes, Handwritten [๐Ÿ“ท: Island]Back in 2015, ๐ŸŽต โ€œSomething Bigโ€ was indeed happening.  What was it you ask? Why, it was the ascent of a teen heartthrob, ๐ŸŽ™ Shawn Mendes.  Back then, the 16-year-old had already began turning heads with his voice, and of course, his looks.  No, he hadnโ€™t matured into the artist heโ€™d become, but the potential definitely โ€œshine(d) bright like a diamondโ€, ๐ŸŽ™ Rihanna! Anyways, this list is all about AFTER songs, and Mendes gives us one early in his career with ๐ŸŽต โ€œAftertasteโ€

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On โ€œAftertaste,โ€ the young Mendes is angry about being dumped. He ultimately takes solace in the fact that his now his ex wants him back:

โ€œAnd now youโ€™re gonna say, โ€˜Pretty please forgive meโ€™
Fool me once, told you twice, gonna regret it
Now youโ€™re all alone.โ€

Itโ€™s relatable regardless of age but feels like typical teenage love issues.  Worth noting, however is a reference to โ€œred wineโ€ in the first verse.  At the time, Mendes, again, was only 16 โ€“ JUST SAYING!


10. Janet Jackson, โ€œAfter You Fallโ€

๐Ÿ’ฟ Unbreakable โ€ข ๐Ÿท Black Doll, Inc. / BMG Rights Management โ€ข ๐Ÿ—“ 2015

Janet Jackson, Unbreakable [๐Ÿ“ท: Black Doll / BMG Rights Management]Following Super Bowl XXXVIII, iconic, ๐Ÿ† Grammy-winning R&B artist ๐ŸŽ™ Janet Jackson never quite regained the success sheโ€™d enjoyed prior to the controversy.  Bummer! Regardless, she still enjoyed a degree of success, and many of us fans were quite excited to experience her 2015 comeback, ๐Ÿ’ฟ Unbreakable.  Did it make an impactful, sizable hit? No, not to the degree a Janet album wouldโ€™ve done in the past, but it still managed to secure her another no. 1 album.

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โ€œAfter you fall / Whoโ€™s gonna be there?โ€ One of the most beautiful performances from Unbreakable arrives courtesy of its sixth track, ๐ŸŽต โ€œAfter You Fall.โ€ You could argue that โ€œAfter You Fallโ€ isnโ€™t characteristic Janet Jackson. Why? Itโ€™s a ballad.  Sure, Jackson has released ballads in the past, but we all know that her calling card are quicker, often times sexier pop-oriented R&B joints.  โ€œAfter You Fall,โ€ which runs nearly five minutes, is restrained, with more of a serious tone that eschews sex โ€“ no ๐ŸŽต โ€œSexhibitionโ€ or ๐ŸŽต โ€œStrawberry Bounceโ€ to be found here! Perhaps not the most exciting moment of her career, Jacksonโ€™s tender, poised performance exudes sheer radiance ultimately.


11. Arcade Fire, โ€œAfterlifeโ€

๐Ÿ’ฟ Reflektor โ€ข ๐Ÿท Arcade Fire โ€ข ๐Ÿ—“ 2013

Arcade Fire, Reflektor [๐Ÿ“ท: Merge]โ€œAfterlife, oh my God, what an awful world / After all the breath and the dirt and the fires are burnt.โ€ While ๐Ÿ’ฟ Everything Now (2017) had its fair share of moments, ๐ŸŽ™ Arcade Fire had a stronger project four years prior with their Grammy-nominated double album, ๐Ÿ’ฟ Reflektor.  While the title track earned the most buzz for the project, single ๐ŸŽต โ€œAfterlifeโ€ was another compelling and fantastic moment from Reflektor.

Appearing on the second disc of the LP, contextually, โ€œAfterlifeโ€ has a variety of meanings.  For one, it can be tied to the Eurydice and Orpheus storyline thatโ€™s prevalent on the second disc.  โ€œCan we work it out? / We scream and shout โ€˜til we work it out?โ€ ๐ŸŽ™ Win Butler sings on the chorus.  Heโ€™s backed by his wife and fellow bandmate, ๐ŸŽ™ Rรฉgine Chassagne.   While the chorus can fit old-school, mythological tales involving underworld (Genius cites Dido and Aeneas), the lyrics feel wide-open. Afterlife is best examined loosely here, not only focusing on mortality, but also love and relationships. After all, โ€œItโ€™s just an afterlife / Itโ€™s just an afterlife / Itโ€™s just an afterlife with you.โ€

Also appears on ๐Ÿ”ฝ:

๐Ÿ”— ๐ŸŽง 12 Simply Terrific Before or After Songs

๐Ÿ”— ๐ŸŽง 11 Songs That Explore the Afterlife


12. Panic! At the Disco, โ€œNine in the Afternoonโ€

๐Ÿ’ฟ Pretty. Odd. โ€ข ๐Ÿท Fueled by Ramen โ€ข ๐Ÿ—“ 2008

Panic! At the Disco, Pretty. Odd. [๐Ÿ“ท: Fueled by Ramen]โ€œBack to the street where we began / Feeling as good as lovers canโ€ฆโ€ ๐ŸŽต โ€œNine in the Afternoon,โ€ hails from ๐Ÿ’ฟ Pretty. Odd, the 2008 sophomore album by ๐ŸŽ™ Panic! At the Disco.  At the time, Pretty. Odd. Wasnโ€™t only viewed as being โ€˜pretty odd,โ€™ it was quite an about face for the alternative collective.  Personally, I loved the album, but others werenโ€™t as sold given its stark differences from ๐Ÿ’ฟ A Fever You Canโ€™t Sweat Out.

โ€œNine in the Afternoonโ€ is quite eclectic in sound. Itโ€™s โ€˜alternativeโ€™ in every sense of the word, incorporating retro, psychedelic sensibilities, folk-pop, and Baroque pop.  The Baroque pop element of Panic! At the Discoโ€™s music isnโ€™t far-fetched considering ๐ŸŽต โ€œI Write Sins Not Tragediesโ€ was filled with such cues.  The songwriting is reminiscent of the likes of Paul McCartney or Brian Wilson. Back in 2008, this was a record that sounded little like anything else being released.  The production work is swell, including an assortment of instruments, including brilliant horns, strings, ripe, assertive guitars and harmonized background vocals.

โ€œโ€˜Cause itโ€™s nine in the afternoon
And your eyes are the size of the moon
You could โ€˜cause you can, so you do
Weโ€™re feeling so good just the way that we do...โ€

๐ŸŽ™ Brendon Urie, as always, shows off his distinct and gorgeous vocal tone.  Among the best moments of the song are his a cappella vocals โ€“ well โ€“ nearly a cappella.

Also appears on ๐Ÿ”ฝ:

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13. Cyndi Lauper, โ€œTime After Timeโ€

๐Ÿ’ฟ Sheโ€™s So Unusual โ€ข ๐Ÿท Sony Music Entertainment โ€ข ๐Ÿ—“ 1983

Cyndi Lauper, She's So Unusual [๐Ÿ“ท: Sony Music Entertainment]โ€œIf youโ€™re lost, you can look, and you will find me / Time after time.โ€ Classic! Iconic! When you think 1980s, it definitely must include ๐ŸŽ™ Cyndi Lauper โ€“ itโ€™s a non-negotiable people! Lauper secured her status as a musical legend with her debut album, ๐Ÿ’ฟ Sheโ€™s So Unusual.  That 1983 gem features three key hits: ๐ŸŽต โ€œGirls Just Want to Have Funโ€, ๐ŸŽต โ€œShe Bopโ€, and the song at hand, ๐ŸŽต โ€œTime After Time.โ€

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โ€œTime After Timeโ€ was one of two no. 1 hits by Lauper (๐ŸŽต โ€œTrue Colorsโ€, from her 1986 sophomore album of the same title, being the other).  Written with ๐ŸŽ™ Robert Hyman and produced by ๐ŸŽ™ Rick Chertoff, โ€œTime After Timeโ€ wins you over the very first time you hear it.  We get great, memorable lyrics (โ€œSecrets stolen from deep inside / The drum beats out of timeโ€), awesome vocals, and a vibe and overall aesthetic that could only be created by Lauper.  Timeless โ€œTime After Timeโ€ listening to it!



13 Alluringly Awesome After Songs ๐ŸŽง [๐Ÿ“ท: 12Tone Music, 88rising, Arcade Fire, Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, Epic, Fueled By Ramen, Island, Modular Recordings Pty Ltd, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Pixabay, Republic, Sony, Taylor Swift, Unsplash, Virgin, XO]