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⏱ 2 min read
💡 TLDR
After actually met on Hinge and bonded over Michelle Branch in a McDonald's drive-thru! Now, they’re dropping a dreamy Y2K-inspired debut album that feels like a glossy, 2005 time capsule.
The way LA-based duo After makes you feel like you’ve found a lost time capsule from 2005 is actually kind of spiritual. Even if you weren’t blasting Ashlee Simpson on your iPod Nano back in the day, Justine Dorsey and Graham Epstein create this hyper-familiar trip-pop vibe that feels both brand new and deeply nostalgic. They aren’t just copying old trends; they are building a whole aesthetic universe inspired by everything from Silent Hill to the Windows XP wallpaper.
A Cosmic Meet-Cute Turned Musical Partnership
Their origin story is honestly such a mood—they actually met on Hinge. While they didn’t end up dating, they realized they shared a massive obsession with the glossy, hooky pop of their youth. According to Epstein, it all clicked while they were in a McDonald’s drive-thru sharing music by Michelle Branch. “I was like, ‘No one’s doing music that sounds this satisfying right now,’” Epstein shares. Since launching in 2023, they’ve moved from viral hits like “300 Dreams” to becoming TikTok favorites for fans like Princess Nokia and Dorian Electra.
💫 “I was like, ‘No one’s doing music that sounds this satisfying right now,’” Epstein shares.
The Blueprint of Dreamy Pop
Their upcoming debut album, Fell Asleep in the Sun, drops September 18 and is basically a 13-track fever dream of hazy sunbeams and moody production. It pulls from heavy hitters like Hilary Duff and Dido, with Dorsey even calling Duff “the blueprint.” Their visuals go just as deep, blending euphoric mid-aughts screensavers with the darkly surreal vibes of films like MirrorMask and The Cell. Whether it’s the drum ‘n’ bass energy of “Fitfully” or the rainy, Avril Lavigne vibes of “Metal,” the album explores themes of yearning and growing up.
Instead of just running away from reality, After is using these throwback textures to offer a sense of hope. They are navigating the transition into their 30s by embracing the “corny” things they love rather than trying to stay trendy. By blending elements of Frou Frou with early Ashlee Simpson, they’ve created something that feels like an alternative future we all missed out on.
Are you ready to romanticize your life with this much nostalgia, or are you strictly listening to whatever is trending on Spotify right now?
❓ People Also Ask
When is After releasing their debut album?
After is scheduled to release their debut album, titled Fell Asleep in the Sun, on September 18. This upcoming project consists of 13 tracks designed to evoke a dreamy, fever-dream atmosphere through hazy production and sun-drenched melodies. The album draws significant musical inspiration from early 2000s icons like Hilary Duff and Dido, blending various textures to explore themes of growing up and the feeling of yearning.
How did the members of the pop duo After meet?
Justine Dorsey and Graham Epstein first met through the dating app Hinge. Although they did not pursue a romantic relationship, they quickly discovered a deep, shared obsession with the glossy and hooky pop music of their youth. Their musical partnership officially solidified during a moment in a McDonald’s drive-thru while they were listening to Michelle Branch, which inspired them to launch their duo in 2023.
What musical influences shape the sound of After?
The sound of After is shaped by a blend of early 2000s pop, trip-pop, and drum 'n' bass elements. They draw heavy inspiration from artists such as Ashlee Simpson, Hilary Duff, Dido, and Michelle Branch to create a hyper-familiar aesthetic. This musical direction incorporates the euphoric energy of mid-aughts screensavers alongside the moody, rainy vibes found in the music of Avril Lavigne and the textures of Frou Frou.
What visual inspirations does the duo use for their aesthetic?
After utilizes a wide range of surreal and nostalgic visual inspirations to build their unique aesthetic universe. Their creative direction blends the bright, euphoric energy of mid-aughts computer screensavers with the darker, more surreal atmospheres found in films like MirrorMask and The Cell. They also incorporate elements of retro technology and internet culture, such as the Windows XP wallpaper and the eerie vibes of Silent Hill, to complete their look.
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📰 Source: Teen Vogue