Phoenix have come out with a rendition of their hit ‘After Midnight’, this time featuring Clairo. The inclusion of the latter brings out an unexpected dimension of soft-spoken allure to the track.
Released in 2022, ‘After Midnight’ is featured on the French band’s seventh studio album, Alpha Zulu. Opening with melodic synthesisers and a drum beat reminiscent of their early earworm ‘Lisztomania’, it promises a tune sure to get people dancing.
The crisp sound of the snare and ambient keys and synths is bound to immediately put listeners in high spirits. The first verse is sung with individual lines assigned to each artist, eventually transitioning into an ethereal pre-chorus. The way Thomas Mars’ vocals melt with Clairo’s is a feast for the ears especially on the phrase, “when the sun is almost gone // it’s way too much”.
The addition of her harmonies creates cadence, her singing smooth as silk thread. Its juxtaposition with Mars’ confident voice that oozes in fervour makes the vocal section memorable. There are no overly technical techniques employed, making room for the upbeat instrumentation to shine; the sound Phoenix is renowned for. This is a plus, as the song itself is difficult not to sing along to, yet easy to sing.
The bridge, on the other hand, contains an entrancing play on words. “Listen, listen // it’s illicit” is repeated, allowing a hypnotic interruption to the general mood that has been previously set, with the resolution being a final chorus that ends abruptly. Aside from the incorporation of a separate vocal part, the rest of it remains the same.
Overall, the song is an excellent collaboration that brought together two iconic acts from different generations of indie music. At times, Clairo’s singing acts as a fragment of the instrument section. Her charming, hushed voice is a subtle, yet powerful aspect that entirely changes it from a dance floor anthem to a more mellow one that can be pondered to. Despite this version being a reimagination of something that has already been released and well-received, Clairo makes it seem like she was meant to be there all along.
Words by Marinel Dizon
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