In the hazy glow of 2025’s nostalgia boom, After‘s self-titled debut EP arrives like a forgotten flip phone rediscovered in a drawer—charming, unapologetically retro, and brimming with that early-aughts sparkle. The duo of Graham Epstein and Justine Dorsey, both born on the same day in 1995, channels Massive Attack‘s brooding atmospheres with Michelle Branch‘s pop wistfulness, crafting a 16-minute fever dream of trip-hop laced with Y2K gloss. It’s Frutiger Aero aesthetics in audio form: glossy waves, dolphin motifs, and hashtags screaming #livelaughlove revival.
Opener “300 Dreams” drifts in on shimmering synths and Dorsey‘s ethereal vocals, evoking lazy afternoons scrolling LiveJournal. “Ever” builds to a euphoric swell, blending glitchy beats with heartfelt lyrics about fleeting connections—”We were infinite, or so we dreamed.” Standouts “Obvious” and “Lichen” nail the formula: “Obvious” is pure serotonin, its hooky chorus washing away adult woes like a Juicy Couture tracksuit in a bubble bath. Even “Nothingmore,” the closer, lingers with understated melancholy, a soft landing for this serotonin sprint.
Critics squawk—it’s mostly repackaged singles, lacking bold innovation—but that’s the point. After isn’t reinventing; it’s resurrecting joy from a pre-TikTok era, where music felt like a shared mixtape. For fans craving PinkPantheress vibes without the irony, this EP is optimal summer (or autumn) escapism. Light, fun, and achingly familiar, it leaves you hungry for more. After who? After this, everyone’s listening.
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