Elton John & Charlie Puth, After All | Track Review

Iconic pop/rock musician Elton John taps Grammy-nominated pop musician/producer Charlie Puth for the assist on “After All.”

T

he legendary Elton John returns with his 32^nd studio album, The Lockdown Sessions.  That’s exciting! After stunning on his duet with Dua Lipa ( “Cold Heart – PNAU Remix”), John collaborates with Charlie Puth on the second single, “After All”. Hmm, interesting! Honestly, the collaboration on “After All” wasn’t one I personally envisioned based on style/voice. After listening, am I eating my words?

This three-and-a-half-minute song was written by Puth, John, and Jacob Kasher Hindlin – no Bernie Taupin! Furthermore, Puth produces the record.  To be fair, Puth has composed and produced some fine records in the past.  “After All” is bright and energetic – a selling point.  As far as the sound, it’s intriguing – somewhere between the 70s/80s and modern pop/rock… I think.  Charlie initiates things, performing the first verse and chorus.  He sings respectably, though I as I’m listening, I feel myself desiring a bit more oomph.  Elton John arrives on the second verse (with modern vocal trickery) and likewise, performs the following chorus.  Puth returns for the bridge, which kicks things up a notch, setting up the proper duet on the final chorus.  By the final chorus, the energy has soared, as have the vocals.  Naturally, Puth has a higher upper range, and does the ‘heavy lifting’ you might say. If nothing else, the chorus hits:

“Oh, oh, nothing compares to you
Oh no, baby
They were just doin’ it wrong
I gave up on love until you made me believe in it after all
After all, oh, ah.”

---

Final Thoughts  

So, does this unlikely collaboration work? Eh, it’s okay at best.  After listening a couple of times, I appreciate what Elton John and Charlie Puth were going.  That said, do I think they quite achieve the glory as a team? No, not quite.  Nonetheless, as mentioned earlier, I’m excited to hear The Lockdown Sessions and maybe, just maybe “After All” grows on me. 

---

Elton John • The Lockdown Sessions • Mercury • 10.22.21
[: Brent Faulkner, Mercury, The Musical Hype, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

---