The Afterword

The Afterword write melodic indie-pop songs featuring bittersweet self-irony, big choruses and cinematic melancholy.

“LA” is the second single from their upcoming EP. It’s an uptempo indie-pop track that blends escapism, longing and hangover realism with a dry sense of humour. Built around drum machines, classical piano, wistful folk guitars and a singalong “la-la-la” chorus, the song feels tongue-in-cheek yet emotionally sincere.

Originally written as a tribute to a filmmaker friend living in Los Angeles, LA turned into something more personal. “We wanted to contrast a bleak moment back home in the UK with the glitz and glamour of a trip to the City of Angels”, the band explains. That tension runs throughout the song: grey mornings colliding with visions of rooftop bars, film noir and neon-lit streets somewhere between memory, fantasy and projection.

Musically, LA reveals a new side of The Afterword. While debut single An Illusion leaned heavily into quiet intimacy, LA opens things up considerably – it’s more direct and anthemic without losing the emotional depth at the heart of the band’s songwriting.

The Afterword brings together British songwriters Tom Walkden and Alex Billig. Walkden has previously collaborated as a vocalist and lyricist with Boz Boorer, longtime musical partner and co-writer to Morrissey, while Billig is a classically trained pianist. Together, they combine imaginative storytelling with a modern indie-pop sound that is both warm and contemporary.

The pair previously performed together in Oxford-formed band Wolventrix, whose songs drew early attention, including from NME, which highlighted their “emotionally raw lyrics and immense choruses”.

With LA, The Afterword offer another glimpse into their upcoming EP with a track that manages to blend big melodies with emotional honesty and a splash of sardonic humour.

Photo by © Tim Cavadini
The Afterword Managent: Michael Martinek (m@fabrique.at)