ALL ARTICLES — afterglow

Reneé Rapp brought powerhouse vocals, seasonal symbolism, and unapologetically queer vivacity to a sold-out Stubb’s on Sept. 18.

Press Conference Recap: Chappell Roan Talks Silliness, Small Towns, and Sirens Ahead of 'The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess'

Popstar Chappell Roan opened up to Afterglow about her greatest inspirations, fears, and goals as an up-and-coming queer artist before her debut album releases on September 22.

Interviews, REVIEWSAfterglow ATXSeptember 18, 2023press conference recap, interview, chappell roan, janie bickerton

Ballad Breakdown: Lana Del Rey Finds Peace in Reclusivity with Her "Bartender"

“Bartender” goes rather critically and commercially unnoticed as the 12th song on Del Rey’s 6th album Norman Fucking Rockwell!, and ironically that might be exactly what the indie darling intended with this piano-backed plea for serenity and normalcy.

ANALYSISAfterglow ATXSeptember 15, 2023lana del rey, ballad breakdown, sydney meier

Concert Recap: 5 Seconds of Summer at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

On September 9, Australian band 5 Seconds of Summer brought their fall tour to the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion with opener Meet Me @ The Altar.

Concert CoverageAfterglow ATXSeptember 14, 2023lauren stephens, 5 seconds of summer, concert photography

Concert Review: 5 Seconds of Summer at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

The Australian four-piece brought their eponymous show (and a giant dice) to The Woodlands on September 9.

Interview: “Chattin’ Shit” with Kari Faux

Houston-based rapper Kari Faux spoke with Afterglow about her new album REAL BITCHES DON’T DIE, her collaboration with Flo Milli, and her upcoming Austin show on September 16.

InterviewsAfterglow ATXSeptember 13, 2023C.S. Harper, kari faux, interview

Album Review: Olivia Rodrigo Wants You to Ditch Your Gaslighting Ex-Boyfriend on ‘GUTS’

Olivia Rodrigo started her music career in a blaze of glory, releasing “drivers license” to critical acclaim alongside her freshman debut SOUR. Now, the singer has taken a more mature, stylized approach to her new release, GUTS.

REVIEWSAfterglow ATXSeptember 13, 2023olivia rodrigo, guts, rachel joy thomas

Media and Music: How the "Succession" Theme Reveals the Pathetic Power of American Royalty

The uncomfortable amalgamation of classical instrumentals and hip-hop production in the “Succession” theme exposes how the Roy descendants’ egotistical ideas of power are egregiously unfounded.

ANALYSISAfterglow ATXSeptember 12, 2023media and music, succession, janie bickerton, hbo, tv shows, kendall roy

Album Review: Thundakat Reintroduces Herself as Jaye Naima on Confessional Debut ‘Life Goes Hard’

The candid rapper undergoes a four-part transformation on her first full-length album.

REVIEWSAfterglow ATXSeptember 12, 2023album review, life goes hard, thundakat, jaye naima, rap, hip-hop, C.S. Harper, C.S. Hayter

Video: Catching Up With Jaye Naima

In this interview, Afterglow revisits rapper Jaye Naima in celebration of her debut album!

MultimediaAfterglow ATXSeptember 12, 2023autumn palacio, C.S. Harper

Interview: Performing Rituals with Heilung

Heilung members Maria Franz and Christopher Juul talk about their new album Drif, enigmatic stage presence, and intricate creative process.

InterviewsAfterglow ATXSeptember 8, 2023interview, heilung, C.S. Harper

Concert Recap: Sleeping with Sirens at Emo’s

On September 1, Sleeping with Sirens brought their fall tour to Emo’s in Austin, Texas.

Concert Recap: David Kushner at Emo’s

Indie-rock artist David Kushner performed at Emo’s on August 30 with support from Chance Pena.

Concert CoverageAfterglow ATXSeptember 2, 2023concert photography, natalie anspach, emo's austin

Album Review: Hozier’s Stunning Third Album ‘Unreal Unearth’ Debuts a Darker Poetic Narrative Illuminated by the Bright Side of Metamorphosis

Hozier has always been known for his profound sense of poetics, creating romantic yet politically intense tracks filled with a sense of woodland divinity, crafted expertly underneath the cavernous murmur of his deep baritone. Now, the Irish-born artist confronts hell on his new album Unreal Unearth, which in turn serves as both a method of musing through the existential and as a requiem for a changing world.

REVIEWSAfterglow ATXAugust 30, 2023rachel joy thomas, pop, uk

Cover Story: The Dual Form of Depeche Mode’s “Never Let Me Down Again” in “The Last of Us”

Pandemic, military regime, bloodthirst — oh my! Beyond the surface of HBO’s post-apocalyptic drama “The Last of Us” lies a nuanced found-family relationship between two lost souls, soundtracked by both the original and a cover of “Never Let Me Down Again.”

ANALYSISAfterglow ATXAugust 28, 2023depeche mode, the last of us, jessica mazin, janie bickerton, cover story

Concert Review: Young The Giant at the Germania Insurance Amphitheater

Young the Giant performed alongside Milky Chance and Rosa Linn at the Germania Insurance Amphitheater on July 28. In a stunning display of visuals, they demonstrated the illustrious nature of their new album, American Bollywood.

Concert Recap: Greta Van Fleet at Dickies Arena

Greta Van Fleet brought the “Starcatcher” Tour to Fort Worth on July 27, 2023.

Concert CoverageAfterglow ATXAugust 1, 2023greta van fleet, elina carrasco, concert photography

Concert Recap: Young the Giant at Germania Insurance Amphitheater

Alternative rock band Young the Giant performed at Germania Insurance Amphitheater on July 28 with support from Milky Chance and Rosa Linn.

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