13 Alluringly Awesome After Songs | Playlist

1. Ed Sheeran, “Afterglow”

“Afterglow” • Atlantic • 2020

“Oh, I will hold on to the afterglow.” Grammy-winner Ed Sheeran returned with a new single, “Afterglow”, just days before Christmas Day 2020. “Afterglow” 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, there’s synthesizer, courtesy of one of the song’s producers, Parisi, which adds more depth.  Still, there’s always this sense of simplicity, yet it feels sufficient. In addition to Parisi, Sheeran produces alongside FRED.

Ed Sheeran sounds quite nice here, delivering a mix of tender and more energetic and emotionally charged vocals on this ‘stripped’ number.  It’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, “Afterglow” is written about his wife.

“We 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 won’t be silent, and I won’t let go
I will hold on tighter ‘til the afterglow
And we’ll burn so bright ‘til the darkness softly clears.”

2. Joji, “Afterthought”

Ft. BENEE

Nectar • 88rising /12Tone Music • 2020 

“When life gets too complicated / Please stand with me after dark / I’ll stay in the limelight / Like a beautiful afterthought.” On “Afterthought,” Joji continues to deliver a sweet listening experience on his sophomore album, Nectar.  He doesn’t do it all by himself either, enlisting BENEE for the assist – F-N A!

On “Afterthought,” Joji’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, “I don’t wanna forget about you.” Aww !

3. Meghan Trainor, “After You (Remix)”

Ft. AJ Mitchell

Treat Myself • Epic • 2020 

Treat Myself, the delayed third album by Grammy-winning pop artist, 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 ‘after’ song at hand, “After You.” Worth noting, “After You” originally appeared on The Love Train (EP), released in 2019.

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 “a bit too ‘vanilla.’” 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.

“Don’t wanna give my heart to someone new
Won’t be anybody after you
And even if one day, our time is through
Won’t be anybody after you, after you
I’ll never find another lover after you.”

Overall, the remixed version of “After You” is a winning record, thanks to assertiveness from Trainor who eschews any cutesy stuff, as well as adding Mitchell.

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4. Black Atlass, “Night After Night”

Dream Awake • XO / Republic • 2020

After a two-year hiatus, Canadian-bred, LA-based musician Alex Fleming, better known as Black Atlass, returned with his third album, Dream Awake. Dream Awake is an enjoyable, sexy, and well-rounded contemporary R&B album.  Those comparisons to The Weeknd – well, their definitely not far-fetched.  That said, Fleming does a fine job throughout the album showing he’s a superb musician in his own right.

“If I can make you love me again / I’ll keep the summertime on your skin / You speedin’ past all our exes / I don’t wanna end up like them.” On “Night After Night” the vibe of Dream Awake continues pops, with sleek production work courtesy of DANNYBOYSTYLES and 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 ‘brings it on home’ on the chorus.

“My woman
I’ll be your man
And baby I’ll give you my life in your hands
I know you wanna feel alive, don’t you?
Night after night (Night after night)
Night after night (Night after night).”

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5. Taylor Swift, “Afterglow”

Lover • Taylor Swift • 2019

“Hey, it’s all me, in my head / I’m the one who burned us down.” Grammy-winner Taylor Swift takes responsibility for her actions in the relationship on “Afterglow,” the 15^th track on her Grammy-nominated pop album, Lover.  No, “Afterglow” doesn’t approach the top echelon of the album, but it’s certainly another worthwhile moment.

From the get-go, Swift is apologetic for her wrongs: “I blew things out of proportion, now you’re blue / Put you in jail for something you didn’t do.” On the second verse, she’s similarly bothered by the situation she created: “It’s so excruciating to see you low / Just wanna lift you up and not let you go.” Basically, on this Frank Dukes, 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, “Posthumous Forgiveness”

The Slow Rush •  Island / Modular Recordings Pty Ltd • 2020

“Posthumous Forgiveness” is a standout from The Slow Rush, the 2020 comeback album by Australian alternative collective Tame Impala. Essentially, Kevin Parker is forgiving his father after he’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.  “Did you think I’d never know? Never wise up as I grow?” he sings on the chorus. Furthermore, Parker is bothered by the fact that his dad wasted time, and ultimately, “…Decided to take all your sorrys to the grave.”

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, it’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.

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7. Kali Uchis, “After the Storm”

Ft. Tyler, the Creator & Bootsy Collins

Isolation • Virgin • 2018

“Did you ever wonder? / Yeah, do you ever wonder / What he might be going through on his own, and / The demons that he’s facing alone.” Colombian American R&B singer Kali Uchis impresses on her soulful, if quietly released debut album, Isolation. The crowning achievement of Isolation is “After the Storm”, featuring the legendary Bootsy Collins and a classy rap from Grammy winner, Tyler, the Creator (“Kali, what you mean? I take it offensive / ‘Cause I’m the hottest flower boy / That popped up on the scene…”).

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:

“The sun’ll come out, nothing good ever comes easy
I know times are rough, but winners don’t quit
So, don’t you give up, the sun’ll come out
But we’ve been struggling endlessly
Someday, we’ll find the love
‘Cause after the storm’s when the flowers bloom.”

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

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8. The Weeknd, “After Hours”

After Hours • Republic • 2020 

“After Hours” (After Hours) is a throwback for The Weekend; it sounds like his ultra-moody music of the past.  It’s long (north of six-minutes), but the vibe, vocal performance, and the production compensate.  The production ( Illangelo, Jason “DaHeala” Quenneville, and 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, it’s that potent falsetto by The Weekend atop the backdrop that seals the deal.

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 that’s always a winning formula.

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9. Shawn Mendes, “Aftertaste”

Handwritten • Island • 2015

Back in 2015, “Something Big” was indeed happening.  What was it you ask? Why, it was the ascent of a teen heartthrob, Shawn Mendes.  Back then, the 16-year-old had already began turning heads with his voice, and of course, his looks.  No, he hadn’t matured into the artist he’d become, but the potential definitely “shine(d) bright like a diamond”, Rihanna! Anyways, this list is all about AFTER songs, and Mendes gives us one early in his career with “Aftertaste”

On “Aftertaste,” the young Mendes is angry about being dumped. He ultimately takes solace in the fact that his now his ex wants him back:

“And now you’re gonna say, ‘Pretty please forgive me’
Fool me once, told you twice, gonna regret it
Now you’re all alone.”

It’s relatable regardless of age but feels like typical teenage love issues.  Worth noting, however is a reference to “red wine” in the first verse.  At the time, Mendes, again, was only 16 – JUST SAYING!

10. Janet Jackson, “After You Fall”

Unbreakable • Black Doll, Inc. / BMG Rights Management • 2015

Following Super Bowl XXXVIII, iconic, Grammy-winning R&B artist Janet Jackson never quite regained the success she’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, Unbreakable.  Did it make an impactful, sizable hit? No, not to the degree a Janet album would’ve done in the past, but it still managed to secure her another no. 1 album.

“After you fall / Who’s gonna be there?” One of the most beautiful performances from Unbreakable arrives courtesy of its sixth track, “After You Fall.” You could argue that “After You Fall” isn’t characteristic Janet Jackson. Why? It’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.  “After You Fall,” which runs nearly five minutes, is restrained, with more of a serious tone that eschews sex – no “Sexhibition” or “Strawberry Bounce” to be found here! Perhaps not the most exciting moment of her career, Jackson’s tender, poised performance exudes sheer radiance ultimately.

11. Arcade Fire, “Afterlife”

Reflektor • Arcade Fire • 2013

“Afterlife, oh my God, what an awful world / After all the breath and the dirt and the fires are burnt.” While Everything Now (2017) had its fair share of moments, Arcade Fire had a stronger project four years prior with their Grammy-nominated double album, Reflektor.  While the title track earned the most buzz for the project, single “Afterlife” was another compelling and fantastic moment from Reflektor.

Appearing on the second disc of the LP, contextually, “Afterlife” has a variety of meanings.  For one, it can be tied to the Eurydice and Orpheus storyline that’s prevalent on the second disc.  “Can we work it out? / We scream and shout ‘til we work it out?” Win Butler sings on the chorus.  He’s backed by his wife and fellow bandmate, Régine 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, “It’s just an afterlife / It’s just an afterlife / It’s just an afterlife with you.”

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12. Panic! At the Disco, “Nine in the Afternoon”

Pretty. Odd. •  Fueled by Ramen •  2008

“Back to the street where we began / Feeling as good as lovers can…” “Nine in the Afternoon,” hails from Pretty. Odd, the 2008 sophomore album by Panic! At the Disco.  At the time, Pretty. Odd. Wasn’t only viewed as being ‘pretty odd,’ it was quite an about face for the alternative collective.  Personally, I loved the album, but others weren’t as sold given its stark differences from A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out.

“Nine in the Afternoon” is quite eclectic in sound. It’s ‘alternative’ in every sense of the word, incorporating retro, psychedelic sensibilities, folk-pop, and Baroque pop.  The Baroque pop element of Panic! At the Disco’s music isn’t far-fetched considering “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” 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.

“‘Cause it’s nine in the afternoon
And your eyes are the size of the moon
You could ‘cause you can, so you do
We’re feeling so good just the way that we do...”

Brendon Urie, as always, shows off his distinct and gorgeous vocal tone.  Among the best moments of the song are his a cappella vocals – well – nearly a cappella.

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13. Cyndi Lauper, “Time After Time”

She’s So Unusual •  Sony Music Entertainment •  1983

“If you’re lost, you can look, and you will find me / Time after time.” Classic! Iconic! When you think 1980s, it definitely must include Cyndi Lauper – it’s a non-negotiable people! Lauper secured her status as a musical legend with her debut album, She’s So Unusual.  That 1983 gem features three key hits: “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”, “She Bop”, and the song at hand, “Time After Time.”

“Time After Time” was one of two no. 1 hits by Lauper ( “True Colors”, from her 1986 sophomore album of the same title, being the other).  Written with Robert Hyman and produced by Rick Chertoff, “Time After Time” wins you over the very first time you hear it.  We get great, memorable lyrics (“Secrets stolen from deep inside / The drum beats out of time”), awesome vocals, and a vibe and overall aesthetic that could only be created by Lauper.  Timeless “Time After Time” listening to it!