Thanks to DJ Black at Isolation Radio for playing “Solitude” by Before After Again on Episode 161! Isolation Radio presents an excellent selection of darkwave, dark electro, goth coldwave, and synthwave music.
Have a listen and share it with friends!
Today we highlight the latest release from the electronic rock project Before After Again. Titled “Shame,” this track is a moody, atmospheric piece that sits comfortably at the intersection of post-punk, darkwave, and a restrained sense of groove. It is the perfect soundtrack for rainy days, sleepless nights, or late-night drives through the city.
While Before After Again is known for exploring the darker, more industrial corners of electronic rock, “Shame” introduces a rhythmic sensibility that sets it apart from standard genre fare. It balances tension with movement, leaning on rhythm and repetition rather than dramatic shifts or wall-of-sound layering.
What immediately makes “Shame” distinct from its contemporaries is the undercurrent. In a genre often defined by rigid, mechanical drum machine beats, this track offers something different: a steady, slightly funky foundation. The bass and rhythm elements lock together to provide a groove that keeps the song grounded. It is rare to find a darkwave track that makes you want to move in quite this way, but the rhythmic drive is undeniable.
This “groove-first” approach allows the other instruments to breathe. Guitars and synth textures are used sparingly throughout the arrangement. Instead of creating a chaotic wall of noise, they add sharp edges and atmospheric washes without crowding the mix. Nothing in the arrangement overstays its welcome, and each musical part feels placed with specific intent to serve the motion of the track.
The production philosophy on “Shame” is one of cleanliness and uncluttered space. The mix favors clarity and balance, ensuring that the unique rhythm section carries the song while preserving the darker character associated with post-punk.
Vocally, the track maintains a controlled, direct presence. The delivery avoids the melodramatic theatricality often found in goth or darkwave music. Instead, it reinforces the song’s inward tone, keeping the focus on the mood rather than a grand performative statement. The result is a track that feels self-contained, disciplined, and disciplined.
The lyrics of “Shame” explore difficult themes of regret, manufactured change, and emotional scarring. They paint a picture of a relationship, or perhaps an internal dialogue, marked by a cycle of pain.
Phrases like “the blade that you use is rusted and cold” suggest deep-seated, possibly old wounds that are being reopened. The recurring line “savor the taste of the change” hints at a bitter acceptance of a new, darker reality. It is a narrative about a “captivated mind” left to wonder about shelter and safety that never arrived.
I don’t know
How you do what you do
Accept the way
The way that I feel
And the pain that I
The pain I’ve gone through
I won’t be fooled once again
Won’t be left here alone
To feel all the shame and the blame
As I savor the taste of the change
To feel all the shame and the blame
As I savor the taste of the change
A captivated mind
Will be left here to wonder
About all of the times
It was left without shelter
You don’t know
How you cut into me
The blade that you use
Is rusted and cold
And the screams that I
Deny come from me
They’re all piercing the wounds
While the blood pools the ground
To feel all the shame and the blame
As I savor the taste of the change
To feel all the shame and the blame
As I savor the taste of the change
A captivated mind
Will be left here to wonder
About all of the times
It was left without shelter
“Shame” is available now on all major streaming platforms and Bandcamp. If you are a fan of dark alternative music that prioritizes feel over volume, this is an essential listen.
You can listen to the track via the players below.
#PostPunk #Darkwave #ElectronicMusic #BeforeAfterAgain #Shame #Groove
It is New Release Day here at Overlook Hotel Records, and we are spotlighting what has quickly become the most widely received track in the Before After Again catalog. The single is titled “Concrete,” and it gifts us with metaphorical “concrete shoes” so that we can sink deep into the music on this fine day.
For those who enjoy the classic synthpop sounds of bands like The Cure, Depeche Mode, and She Wants Revenge, this track is designed specifically for you.
“Concrete” has garnered a broad appeal largely due to its clarity of structure and melodic focus. In a genre that sometimes relies on dense, impenetrable layers of noise, this song succeeds by being focused and accessible.
The song is built around a strong central theme that is introduced early. Rather than confusing the listener with constant, variation-heavy development, the band reinforces this theme through repetition. This approach creates a hypnotic, memorable quality that sticks with the listener long after the track ends.
The synth work on “Concrete” is clean and deliberate. The synthesizer lines carry both the harmonic support and the melodic identity of the track. Crucially, these lines are clearly separated in the mix; there is no unnecessary layering or “mud.” This keeps the arrangement easy to follow, allowing the direct melodic content to shine without relying on exaggerated hooks or dramatic shifts.
Rhythm plays a steady, supportive role here. The groove is consistent and measured, providing forward motion while leaving ample room for the melodic elements to remain the focal point. Nothing feels rushed, and the transitions between sections are handled smoothly, reinforcing the song’s overall sense of balance.
Vocally, “Concrete” maintains a straightforward delivery that perfectly complements the arrangement. The performance avoids excess emphasis or theatricality, allowing the melody and lyrics to sit naturally within the mix rather than dominating it.
The production is polished but restrained. The mix favors clarity and cohesion, with each element occupying a defined space. It presents a clear musical idea, follows it through without distraction, and leaves a strong impression through consistency rather than scale.
Lyrically, the song explores themes of performative happiness and hidden trauma. Phrases like “put it in your makeup” and “add a little plastic to your disguise” suggest a character struggling to maintain a facade for the “lens that is calling.”
Dry another teardrop
Put it in your makeup
The lens is calling
It’s on your face
Looking for another
Way to hide the trauma
Your head is spinning
It’s not too late
She’s alright
Don’t dilate
I’m not too sorry to say
All alone
On her way
Her catatonic gaze
Pop another shot love
Cut it but it won’t stop
Your mirror flashes in your disgrace
Silent as the pin drops
Quiet for the moment
Add a little plastic to your disguise
She’s alright
Don’t dilate
I’m not too sorry to say
All alone
On her way
Her catatonic gaze
She’s alright
Don’t dilate
I’m not too sorry to say
All alone
On her way
Her catatonic gaze
“Concrete” is available now on all major streaming platforms and Bandcamp. Dive in below.
#Synthpop #Darkwave #ElectronicMusic #BeforeAfterAgain #Concrete #NewMusic
It’s New Release Day here at Overlook Hotel Records! We are proud to present “Solitude,” the latest darkwave track from Before After Again.
This isn’t just a song; it’s an atmosphere. “Solitude” captures the suffocating feeling of being trapped within one’s own mind, where the silence is loud and the walls are closing in. With driving synth lines and melancholic vocals, the track explores the tension between wanting to escape the “twisted mind” and finding comfort in the isolation.
Ten years of solitude
I’ve spent my time with you
Watch as these walls all fall down
Don’t know if I can be
Alone inside my empty mind
The time unfolds
Don’t notice this silence for long
Can’t escape I’ve nowhere to run
Suffering inside I brings me down
Don’t worry it comes and it goes
Hidden deep so nobody knows
I’ll keep you safely inside
Confine my every move
Clenched hands but let me go too soon
The grip won’t do
I’m running out of time
You’re always right in back of my
Twisted mind
Perfect for late-night listening in the dark, alone, or in the basement of an abandoned building, “Solitude” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.
Plastic Horizon returns to Overlook Hotel Records with “Winds of March,” a track that bridges the gap between atmospheric soundscapes and driving synth-rock energy.
Drawing heavily from the visual language of Blade Runner and the nostalgic adrenaline of the Outrun aesthetic, this single is a study in tension and release. It does not rush; instead, it invites the listener into a dark, cinematic space.
The track begins with a “dark and easy” introduction, a slow burn of brooding pads and distant melodies that evoke the feeling of a solitary walk through a rain-slicked futuristic city. But as the “winds” pick up, so does the intensity. The composition patiently layers its elements, building a wall of sound that eventually breaks into a full-throttle synthwave rock anthem.
This dynamic shift makes “Winds of March” the perfect companion for a late-night drive. It captures that specific moment when the empty road stretches out before you, the city lights blur into streaks of neon, and the only option is to turn the volume up and drive.
“Winds of March” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.
It’s New Release Day here at Overlook Hotel Records! We are proud to present “Decay,” the latest high-energy track from Before After Again.
“Decay” is a study in contrast. It opens with a stripped-down, fairly quick pulse, a driving beat that feels urgent and immediate. This minimal approach in the verses creates a tension that demands release, which arrives in the form of a rich, expansive chorus.
The production here leans heavily into the “wall of sound” aesthetic during the bridge and chorus, utilizing layered synths to create a feeling of overwhelming motion. It is a track that sounds best when cranked up loud, allowing the listener to get lost in the “spin.”
Hold on this won’t take but a moment
Your head spins like a top goes round, round, round
Please understand this is intention
Not necessarily I’m down, down, down
I love the way you drop
The pieces on the floor
Decay of every touch
A slip away into nothing
You bind the ties that take us under
My grip it squeezes you for more, more, more
Shake lips and let me know when it’s over
You know it’s what we have in store, store, store
I love the way you drop
The pieces on the floor
Decay of every touch
A slip away into nothing
“Decay” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.
Slowing things down, Before After Again presents “When,” an introspective ballad that stands in stark contrast to the band’s heavier material.
“When” begins with a delicate synth melody and vulnerable vocals. It is a song about hindsight, asking the difficult questions that only arise after the damage has been done. The track slowly builds from its intimate beginnings, layering in strings, E-Bow, and electronic elements to create a cinematic swell of emotion. It captures the feeling of standing in the wreckage of a relationship, wondering how things got to this point.
This release showcases the versatility of Before After Again, proving they are just as capable of quiet devastation as they are of industrial aggression.
Chalk white skin
What a delicate stare
Color my face
Shameful and undone
When will this feel
Like it did once before?
How will I know
When the pain comes around?
When will I ever feel
Happy again?
I wonder
Lay your head down
Close your eyes and rest
Shudder to think
That we’ve done this all before
Shed some sympathy
Swallow the lies
Shed insecurity
And make it less
Close myself in
Away from everything
And try to ignore
Screaming voices in my head
When will this feel
Like it did once before?
How will I know
When the pain comes around?
When will I ever feel
Happy again?
I wonder
“When” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.
Plastic Horizon delivers a mesmerizing blend of retro nostalgia and eerie ambiance inspired by late 70s and early 80s horror films.
Step into the haunting world of synthwave with Plastic Horizon’s single, “Hex.” This track represents a distinct shift in tone for the project, moving away from high-speed chases and neon sunsets to explore the darker, grittier side of the genre. It delivers a mesmerizing blend of retro nostalgia and eerie ambiance, directly inspired by the golden age of late 70s and early 80s horror films.
Drawing influence from iconic musicians like John Carpenter, Fabio Frizzi, and even the doom-laden riffs of Black Sabbath, “Hex” immerses listeners in a slow, brooding soundscape.
The goal was to capture the feeling of those quiet moments in horror cinema. Think of the long drive to an isolated cabin, the shadow moving in the background, or the tension before the jump scare. It isn’t about the release of terror. It is about the anticipation of it. The track utilizes heavy basslines that plod forward with a zombie-like persistence, overlaid with sharp, crystalline synth leads that cut through the mix like a knife.
“Hex” is built on simplicity. Unlike modern electronic music that often clutters the frequency spectrum with hundreds of layers, this track exercises restraint. It relies on:
As the sixth installment in Plastic Horizon’s ambitious weekly series of releases for 2024, “Hex” showcases the artist’s ability to captivate audiences with evocative melodies and spine-chilling compositions. This weekly challenge has pushed the project to explore new sub-genres, from high-octane Outrun to this slow-burn Horror Synth.
Dive into the depths of that long, dark drive home, crank up the music, and experience the sinister allure of “Hex.” It is the perfect soundtrack for your next midnight drive. Just make sure you check the backseat first.
You can listen to “Hex” on all major streaming platforms. Support independent horror-synth by streaming on Spotify or purchasing the high-quality download directly from Bandcamp below.
#HorrorSynth #JohnCarpenter #Retrowave #Darkwave #PlasticHorizon
Fans of horror-inspired music might also enjoy the following tracks from our artists roster:
Before After Again turns up the grit with “Hell of a Friend,” a track that leans heavily into the industrial side of the darkwave spectrum.
“Hell of a Friend” is driven by a distorted, mechanical beat and aggressive synth textures. It explores the darker corners of the psyche, specifically the “demons within” that we run from, only to find them waiting for us again. The lyrics paint a picture of a cyclical struggle, where the darkness isn’t just an enemy, but a familiar, albeit destructive, companion.
With influences ranging from early industrial rock to modern dark synth, this track is dense, heavy, and perfect for those who prefer their electronic music with a bit of an edge.
Don’t say a word they won’t understand
Everything ends and it starts again
Everyone runs from the demons within
Then we go back to bed it’s a hell of a friend
Take what is yours and break while you bend
Fading away while the past comes again
Falling on down on the darkness within
Never coming back it’s a hell of a friend
Don’t stop running you’ll find out for yourself
The time heals wounds and the scars that you felt
Everyone knows that you’re out of your mind
If you found something else now there’s nothing inside
“Hell of a Friend” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.
Before After Again turns up the tension with “Black Screen,” a track that channels the aggression of industrial rock through a post-punk lens.
“Black Screen” is built on a relentless, mid-tempo groove that feels like a march toward the inevitable. The vibe is undeniably angry, yet the vocal delivery remains deceptively smooth, creating a chilling contrast with the bite of the lyrics. It touches on themes of obsolescence, media saturation (“teleprompter weapons”), and the surreal feeling of being trapped in a loop.
With its gritty textures and driving bass, this track is perfect for fans who prefer their darkwave with a heavier, more aggressive edge.
You know it’s right
I can’t partake
In this constant push and pull
These empty streets
Are fully charged
Intake the soul off the floor
Television black screen fault
Teleprompter weapons out
Militants entrenched it’s all wrong
Tell me something I don’t know
Give me everything I want
I just don’t want this anymore
So please don’t fight
It makes you weak
We want you down on your knees
It’s so surreal
When we look back
At all the pain that you bring
Television black screen fault
Teleprompter weapons out
Militants entrenched it’s all wrong
Tell me something I don’t know
Give me everything I want
I just don’t want this anymore
Don’t shed those tears salty
Now face the fact
You’re obsolete
It’s time you’ve taken your bow
Hide if you like
We’re close behind
Oh can’t you taste this disease?
Television black screen fault
Teleprompter weapons out
Militants entrenched it’s all wrong
Tell me something I don’t know
Give me everything I want
I just don’t want this anymore
“Black Screen” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.