Afterz: Tracks That Shaped Our Sound

Blurring the boundaries between afrobeats, amapiano, experimental electronics, and late-night soul, Afterz are the duo turning heads with their richly textured, genre-defying new EP, The Midnight Cafe (out July 18). Fronted by multihyphenate producers Troy. and Très Chill, the project is less a collection of tracks and more a fully-formed universe — one where Massive Attack meets Future, where Yves Tumor collides with the Alté movement, and where mood, memory, and movement coalesce in sound.

With past collaborators including Azekel, Lojay, and Team Salut, and creative credits ranging from immersive art installations at Art Basel to global brand campaigns, the pair bring a rare, cinematic sensibility to their music. We caught up with them to talk influences, intention, and how The Midnight Cafe became a late-night sanctuary for their wildest ideas.

Massive Attack - Teardrop

We don’t really get to hear much music made like this anymore. The vocals are perfect, and they also have a special texture. The delivery is also so considered and controlled, which is amazing considering the pitch. The drums almost feel like a heartbeat, and the song has a lot of intensity that builds up gradually over time - it’s an evergreen sound. Massive Attack influenced our production by inspiring us to be more minimal and intentional. 

Justin TImberlake - Cry Me a River

Justin sounded incredible, his melodies, his lead vocals, his backing vocals - everything was at the highest level. We’ve both loved the song since we were kids, and it’s aged very well over time - we still play it even to this very day. The lyrics are very relatable, and the production from TImbaland was an absolute masterpiece as well. The outro was phenomenal too. Cry Me a River is the gold standard when it comes to making commercial music. 

Kanye West - Guilt Trip

The first thing we both loved about Guilt Trip was the arp that comes in and out of the track. We loved the melodies, and the simplicity of the production. We also both bonded over the singing at the end of the song - “If you love me so much then why’d you let me go?”. It’s just too good.

The Weeknd - Coming Down

If Cry Me a River is the gold standard for commercial music, this track is the gold standard for late night music. The Weeknd is one of the greatest to ever do it, and this song in particular is so ethereal and trippy. It’s a track that you can wind down to after a long day - grab a glass of wine and press play. It’s a great listening experience, and the songwriting is immaculate.