A concise burst of shimmering indie rock. Dense vocal harmonies and motorik rhythms create a nostalgic, urban atmosphere that feels both intimate and expansive.
It's like a five-song hug from the entire Toronto indie scene at once.
A shimmering, rhythmic reflection on time and connection that feels both urgent and settled.
Released in early 2019, 'Let's Try the After, Vol. 1' serves as a concise re-entry point for the Toronto-based collective following their 2017 comeback 'Hug of Thunder'. While Broken Social Scene is often defined by their sprawling, 15-plus member lineup and chaotic live energy, this EP showcases a more streamlined and rhythmic side of their sound. The influence of Krautrock is evident in the motorik beats of tracks like 'Boyfriends', while '1972' leans into the band's gift for shimmering, anthemic indie rock. Produced with a focus on analog warmth and dense layering, the EP maintains the band's 'chamber rock' reputation while experimenting with more prominent synthesizer textures. It functions as a bridge between their classic mid-2000s sound and a more mature, reflective approach to songwriting. Critically, it was viewed as a strong addition to their discography, proving that even in a shorter format, the band could evoke the same 'big feelings' that made them icons of the 2000s indie scene.
Put this on for
City lights blurring through a rain-streaked taxi windowThat specific 5pm shadow stretching across a familiar parkHeadphones on while the rest of the house sleepsDriving toward the skyline as the sun finally dipsOld polaroids spread out on a hardwood floorQuiet kitchen coffee before the world wakes upTracing the route of a walk you used to take with them
Moments worth waiting for
The way the motorik beat on 'Boyfriends' provides a steady pulse beneath the swirling, chaotic layers of guitar and synth.
The sudden, lush bloom of vocal harmonies during the chorus of '1972' that feels like a warm memory surfacing.
The brief, ambient wash of 'The Sweet Sea' acting as a hazy portal into the more structured songs that follow.
Sounds like
2019s production with a 2010s soul
Sits beside
Antidotes - Foals, Sky Blue Sky - Wilco, The Wild Hunt - The Tallest Man on Earth, Transatlanticism - Death Cab for Cutie
Lyrical territory
nostalgia, love_lost, self_examination
03Deviation
Let's Try the After, Vol. 1 · vs · Broken Social Scene
Artist
This Album
Urban_night
Atmosphere · ↓ −10% less than usual
On this album, urban_night sits about 10% less prominent than across the rest of the artist's catalogue.
