When the Party Fades and the Sea Sings Back

There’s a weirdly beautiful moment at the end of a night out—when the bass stops, the crowd thins, and you suddenly realize how loud silence can be. That’s exactly the space Afters, the newest single from LA-based indie-pop band CROSSTOWN, dives into headfirst—and man, do they dive deep.

Calling this “Piratecore” might sound tongue-in-cheek at first, but listen closely and it clicks. The gritty, cavernous production rolls in like fog over a moonlit dock, with chant-like vocals echoing over an eerie, pulsing rhythm. Imagine sea shanties for the digital age, whispered through a club’s closing-time speakers. It’s darkwave with swagger, and it’s not trying to be shiny or polished—it wants you to feel lost in the best way.

The lyrics hit that raw, hollow feeling of post-party emotional limbo—when the lights come up and you’re not ready to go home, but there’s nowhere left to be. “Afters” captures that ache with unexpected intimacy, wrapping it in a swirl of synths, shadows, and seawater.CROSSTOWN isn’t just making music; they’re building atmospheres, whole moods. With Afters, they’ve created a sonic afterparty that’s both haunting and hypnotic—and whether you’re fresh off the dancefloor or just dreaming of escape, it’s one track that lingers long after the final beat.