"If you're among the many who discovered L.A. pop duo After on social media in the last few months, you probably did a double take when you noticed that their two self-titled EPs were released this very year. Vocalist Justine Dorsey and producer Graham Epstein—often pictured together looking exactly like Frou Frou's Details photo shoot—are the closest thing we have to Y2K time travelers, but that's not really a compliment."
"Their debut cashes in on culture's nostalgic obsession with strictly faithful recreations of several radio-friendly subgenres of the early '00s. Though the out-of-time aesthetics are impressive, After's limp and unimaginative rehashes have little to offer beyond the novelty of hearing these styles done all over again. Consider "300 dreams" and "Deep Diving," the interchangeable breakbeat pop tracks that open each EP."
"Dorsey told Rolling Stone that "300 dreams" represents her attempt at a "Coldplay coded" song. Breakbeat-based Coldplay should be a fascinating concept, but After opt for the laziest possible execution. Dorsey sounds a bit like a femme Chris Martin as she sings faux-inspirational verses contrasted by a downer hook ("Oh, look at the state of me/I'm always falling down"). The chord progression sounds like it could have been lifted from "Clocks" or "Speed of Sound.""
After are an L.A. pop duo composed of vocalist Justine Dorsey and producer Graham Epstein who released two self-titled EPs this year. The music faithfully recreates several early-2000s radio-friendly subgenres and leans heavily on Y2K aesthetics. Production and visuals capture period details, but songwriting choices often feel lazy and unimaginative. Opening tracks "300 dreams" and "Deep Diving" use interchangeable breakbeat pop formulas and similar chord progressions to Coldplay songs, while lyrics alternate between faux-inspirational verses and repetitive hooks. The nostalgic fidelity provides novelty but little emotional or creative payoff.
Read at Pitchfork
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