Charlotte Sands Channels Angsty Romance in Her Powerful New Single “Afterlife”
- Autumn Johnstone
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
By: Autumn Johnstone
There’s no denying Charlotte Sands is meant to be a performer. Beyond her early 2000s aesthetic lies a love for genuine songwriting and music even more electric than her blue hair.
Sands’ new single, “Afterlife” offers her audience a look into a once-in-a-lifetime love that transcends this life. With a passionate vocal hook, Sands immediately grabs our attention with an ethereal promise of meeting her lover in the afterlife. Her voice is soulful as she pleads for eternal love and we hear the sound of an airy electric guitar.
A high-pitched piano crescendo and hi-hat crash kicks us into the initial verse. The lyrics turn from desperate to angsty — similar to the highs and lows of loving others while expecting something in return.
“I’ve always had my doubts but now I’m used to it / ‘Cause everything I love has always gone to shit,” Sands sings freely.
Her vocal versatility is impressive as her tone complements the drum rhythms in a way that pushes the song forward. We lose track of time as we fall more and more in love with this song’s catchy melody and witty lyrics.
“I know the end isn’t really the end / So I’ll hold on ‘til I see you again,” Sands delivers in a speech-like, conversational rhythm before the song breaks into the powerful chorus.
The reverb of her vocals gives the song an emotional, introspective feeling of yearning for another person even when it’s inexplicably impossible. Before the second verse, the melody is reversed for a split second, similar to how we find ourselves traveling back in time for those nostalgic moments with the loved ones we desire. Sands undoubtedly has a talent for keeping her audiences engaged with her genre-bending sound and powerhouse vocals.
The chorus connects perfectly with the second verse. We learn that this love is etched with anger and resentment. This song plays into our ability to miss someone even when they are by our sides — a topic that resonates with many, but receives little attention in music. With the fervor of Olivia Rodrigo and the cinematic instrumentation of Halsey, Sands is as emotive as a musician can get.
Near the end of the song, her guitar and vocals echo as the song reaches a crescendo. The music fades and Sands leaves us like a mere mirage in the distance.
Follow Charlotte Sands: https://www.instagram.com/charlottesands/