Formed in 2013, Afterwards are the new kids on alt-rock block. Hailing from Thiene, Italy, the band consists of bassist and vocalist Carlo Turatello, guitarist and vocalist Lorenzo Busellato, guitarist Federico Dal Bianco and drummer Michele Mura. They have recently released their new EP Rage, the perfect indie record to compliment your summer.
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‘Abigayle’ is the opening track of the record and with its catchy, repetitive riff and multi-layered sound, it is immediately reminiscent of British indie band Foals. With interesting and contrasting shifts in the songs dynamic, from soft and supple to loud and upbeat, Afterwards have successfully created five minutes twenty-two seconds of pure indie rock brilliance.
Leading on from captivating opener ‘Abigayle’ is another dance-around-naked tune, ‘Gloom’. With its tension-filled introduction and a vocal talent that’s not dissimilar to Peace’s Harry Koisser, when the song kicks in you immediately fee like getting up to get down. ‘Something New’ is the next song on the EP and it immediately transports you into a hazy indie daze. With echoing lyrics and prolonged guitar riffs, this is the ultimate summer jam, the kind of song that gets played over a romantic montage in an independent Sundance film.
The last track on Rage is ‘The Unattainable’; with its muted yet prominent riffs and experimentation with percussion, it’s a dead ringer for The 1975. Pleasant to listen to yet laced with emotion, the end result of this song is beautiful and, with its fading outro, it perfectly draws the EP to a close.
For such a young and new band Afterwards have achieved an incredible amount by creating an EP with songs that wouldn’t seem out of place on MTV Rocks or an NME playlist. The future looks bright for this quartet of Italian indie rockers.
Words by Heather Moss