Trip-hop duo, After, took the underground music community by storm in 2025 with the release of their two self-titled EPs. With so much hype going into the new year, more material was almost a guarantee, and their new single, ‘Cold’, instantly hit the mark.

Covering a Crossfade song from the mid-2000s, After put their own alt-pop twist on this heavy metal track. Featuring brooding synths, hypnotic strings, and dreamy vocals from Justine Dorsey, this track is quite different from their previous material.

All of their work so far has that early-2000s, y2k nostalgia attached to it. Sweet melodies, light acoustic strums, and futuristic synth work flood their discography. Where ‘Cold’ stands out is that the production is more stripped back and natural, getting rid of the robotic sounding synths in favour of a bed of strong strings and guitar-work. 

However, the clear highlight of this track is Dorsey’s vocals. Her melodies are satisfyingly familiar, and her voice is cozy, with a tone reminiscent of a less striking Amy Lee from Evanescence. This song has a less busy production really allows her vocals to shine, which even further evokes that sentimental feeling of their music. 

Even while being a cover, ‘Cold’ feels like another huge step in After’s progression as a duo. This track is a showcase of how versatile their style can be, and it builds up even more excitement for what’s to come in the future. 

Nathan Kelly

@nathan.kelly.06

Image: ‘Cold’ Official Single Cover

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