Release of the Week 19/11: Slum Sociable ‘Afterthought’
The Melbourne duo Slum Sociable have had a huge 2018 following the release of singles ‘Do Something About It’ and ‘Can’t Figure it Out’ along with frequent appearances on Triple J. To top off this stellar year, they have teamed up with Kim Moyes of The Presets and Jungle Giants/Mallrat producer Konstantin Kersting to release their upbeat summer hit in ‘Afterthought’. A combination of these talents, ‘Afterthought’ is Slum Sociable’s most dance-focused track to date.
Filled with tight drum machines, chunky synths and a catchy guitar line, ‘Afterthought’ takes the lo-fi melancholy that Slum Sociable are known for an adds some energy. The infectious beat mixes with the pop structure to create an easy-to-listen-to track that calls the listener to the dancefloor. However, the bright chorus and playful instrumentation belie the heavier themes in the lyrics. ‘Afterthought’ is a deep, sad song about regrets and the frustration of not being able to change what’s been done. Singer Miller Upchurch’s outstanding vocal work soars over the top of the ethereal accompaniment, pouring real emotion into the lyrics. The verses lure the listener in with the calm synths before hitting them with these bluntly tragic lyrics. The chorus “here’s my afterthought, I should’ve taken my shot. It happens more often than not, I take some time to do nothing new,” is embedded with raw melancholy as the instruments swell to meet Upchurch’s emotive depth. The guitar melody bounces up and down, harmonising perfectly with the vocal line, intensifying the chorus.
“The concept behind Afterthought is simple yet universal, we’ve all had moments where we wish we’d done things differently, and looking back on them can be frustrating. So I channelled my frustrations of not acting sooner into this song,” described Slum Sociable.
‘Afterthought’ is an emotionally charged summer hit that uses the contrast between bright instrumentation and melancholic lyrics to ignite the dancefloor. Listeners can catch Slum Sociable for The First Annual Slum Sociable Xmas Special at the Corner Hotel in Mebourne on December 13.
