Album Review - Afterthought - Self Titled EP
AFTERTHOUGHT
LAUNCH EARNEST SELF-TITLED EP ‘AFTERTHOUGHT’
Quite a lot has happened since Afterthought, the Sydney pop punk quintet, released an EP. “Full Circle” (their debut EP) came out in 2018 and I have been waiting for a follow-up ever since. These 5 new songs didn’t disappoint.
The record opens with Summerset Stunner’s inviting guitar chords and immediately, the warm tone makes us feel like, indeed, the summer has finally arrived. A drum fill takes us into pop-punk territory and that’s when we know that we are in for the ‘feel-good’ kind of pop punk (for fans of: Bearings, Seaway and more...)
It doesn’t take long to notice the unique vocal melodies, their obvious pop sensibility and syncopated rhythms. The vocals go from low to high registers effortlessly and despite the fact that all the members are relatively young, you can tell that the singer has years of singing experience. On top of that, all the melodies are incredibly catchy and you’ll be able to sing along to any song after a listen or two.
The bass tone is quite sturdy and punchy in this song and throughout the whole EP. The higher notes played in the bridge of Summerset Stunner adroitly emphasize the bass and it’s a nice detail. After an exciting build up, the final chorus of the song hits, bigger than ever and this first taste of the record leaves us excited to hear the other songs.
Right out of the gate, you know that the second song, Tightrope, is the one people are going to mosh to. Its upbeat rhythms will make the audience want to jump and down and move around for the majority of the song.
The song addresses darker themes such as overthinking and trying to keep your mental balance. Because of this slight change of tone, and because of the fast punk beat in the second verse, this song makes me very nostalgic: a reminder of the first time I heard “heavier” pop punk bands like Knuckle Puck and Real Friends.
The instrument that really stands out to me in this song is the drums. The singled-out kick drum in the bridge does a great job at building up some excitement before the final chorus (I’m pretty sure it made my heart beat at the same bpm as the song). And after that, in the final chorus, the drummer plays his heart out, adding technical rhythms and exciting fills wherever it makes the song punchier.
However, Shimmer is the one that really caught my attention and I think it’s my favourite song off this EP. At first view, it is simply your token “emotional, nostalgic and softer song that has to be somewhere on the record”. Except it does more than just being this song. It starts with a bright acoustic guitar and a synth, then keeps introducing new synth sounds as the song progresses. This shows us that Afterthought have matured and are ready to get out of their comfort zone, to try new things (production-wise). The track has a lot of personality and, despite its differences, it fits perfectly on the EP.
Homebound is my second favourite song. It is a great follow up to Shimmer and puts you back into a good and bouncy mood. As soon as it was released (a few weeks before the rest of the EP), I knew that Afterthought wasn’t the local/ “still in high school” band I knew before.
The song has some pretty fast lead guitar parts that take the song to the next level, making it more exciting and, at the same time, cleverly showcasing the guitarist’s talent. After the bridge, a lower and softer version of the chorus (vocals and clean guitar only) emphasizes once again how the singer is versatile and comfortable in any register.
As any good closing song, Embers brings back elements from all the other songs: a punchy and upbeat intro, rhythms that make you want to jump and down, catchy vocals that somehow sound both happy and nostalgic and a bridge that keeps the “Afterthought-sounds-experimentation-project” going, with its multiple layers of backing vocals and synth. Cherry on top, the song finishes with an epic guitar solo that might be too “rock and roll” for some but sounds perfect to me.
Overall, this EP combines many sounds and vibes that might be common in pop punk but to which Afterthought added a lot of freshness, youth and excitement. It is without a doubt a “feel-good” and energising kind of record and I will be listening to it a lot this summer. Even more, the band has reached a new level in terms of production and songwriting (and even in terms of visual content and everything that goes with releasing music) and I am excited to see what is next for them.
SUPPORT FOR SINGLES OFF 'AFTERTHOUGHT'
“They’ve hit the ground running – I really love it.”
Josh Merriel - triple j (AUS)
“A propulsive new pop-punk anthem.”
Blunt Magazine (AUS)
'Homebound' premiered on triple j's short.fast.loud
Added to Spotify playlist 'Local Noise'
Added to Apple Music playlist 'The New Rock'
Sydney-based pop-punk quintet Afterthought have today divulged their wholehearted self-titled EP ‘Afterthought’ – produced by Rich Mammoliti (Breakaway, Our Past Days).
‘Afterthought’ is five tracks of impassioned, resonant pop punk, luminously constructed and layered with multicoloured instrumentation and fervent melodies; bleeding with perseverance and encapsulating the foundations in which the band have built their sound upon.
The band explain the themes behind the EP:
“Musically, this EP is a step up in our song writing ability and this is due to us spending far more time demoing and refining each section until we felt that they were right and served the song. We also wanted to move towards a pop-like sound which better reflects the musical direction we're taking as a band. Lyrically, this EP is a reflection on love and loss, and a yearning for something more. We hope that our lyrics help people understand, navigate and find joy in the wild world that is human relationships.”
The EP begins with lively opener ‘Summerset Stunner’, blending variegated guitars with tender vocals, before propelling into a glowing chorus pervaded with resilient harmonies and soaring instrumentation. Second track ‘Tightrope’ features ingenious rhythmic interaction and vivid pop-punk qualities, having been workshopped with producer Stevie Knight (Stand Atlantic, Yours Truly). Frantic tempo changes and dexterous intricacies combine for a bouncing hook, massive in dimension and overflowing with energy.
At the midway point is ‘Shimmer’, calmer in nature and guided by the heartfelt descants of frontman Mackenzie Day, whilst reserving the gritty, angsty dynamism that remains essential within their fierce and vigorous deliveries. Fourth track and lead single ‘Homebound’ lurches into a vibrant eruption of sizable drums, clinically tight bass and virulent guitars, with its familiarly contagious chorus capturing the collective vitality within the body of work.
Fifth and final track ‘Embers’ closes out the EP with a sensitive touch of profound nostalgia, abounding with hope and assurance, showcasing Afterthought’s polished development and refined elegance with doses of tenderness and polyphony.
Singles off ‘Afterthought’ have been supported by Spotify, Apple Music, triple j, The Faction, Blunt Magazine, AAA Backstage, HEAVY Mag, The Australian Music Scene and Something You Said.
‘Afterthought' will be available worldwide TODAY
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