With After Dark, Sam Fowles establishes himself as a master of soundscapes, digital sonics, production and storytelling. Intro instantly transports you to a fantastical planet with atmospheric ambience, laser guns, vintage drums and more.

Chasing Dragons follows with a seamless transition from Intro. The unique, raspy yet warm, rock-esque timbre of Fowles’ voice pushes you further into the world he has created. The more you listen, the deeper you fall into the magical rabbit hole of this album. But don’t be fooled by the country twang of Fowles’ soulful voice – electric guitars paired with sick minor chord progressions quickly swerve the song towards a head-banging, explosive, cymbals-driven chorus. The project’s After Dark theme truly comes alive in this one, not only musically but lyrically too: "If you’re chasing these dragons you’re in for a ride / Ready your blade, because you’re in for a fight’ / Out of the darkness it must come to light / So hold on to your soul ‘cause you’re gambling with life."

Fowles proves his sound simply cannot be put in a box with Destination Unknown, a psychedelic soul/funk track. As a fan of other genre-bending Kiwi artists like Troy Kingi and Tavita & Bay Road, this song quickly became one of my favourites on the record. From the get-go, I knew I would be adding this one to my Kiwi Summer At The Beach playlist. With its groovy bassline and lighter percussion, Destination Unknown sets itself apart from its predecessor, yet beautifully builds upon Fowles’ one-of-a-kind co-production with Barnaby Weir. Fowles seems to be a fan of the electric guitar, and his ability to mould the instrument to fit whatever sound he needs does not go unnoticed. He effortlessly slides between chords throughout choruses and as the song fades to black, smoothly transitioning between sections and tracks. Special mention goes to the stunning bridge of the track where bass and guitar are pulled back, and Fowles stacks his own vocals to serve as harmonic accompaniment – an unexpected, gorgeous surprise in the song.

Butterfly Baby is a slower tempo’d, reggae/funk song that rides the easy-going, Kiwi summer wave from Destination Unknown. Though this nearly three-minute track is noticeably shorter than the previous two, its jazzy chords and unconventional rhythmic choices make it an unforgettable standout. "Be my butterfly baby / Fly away and come back home" is one of many examples throughout the album where Fowles uses beautiful, light BVs over his powerful, soulful melody that make the choruses pack even more of a punch. Listen out for my favourite moment, which takes place in the final chorus, where the rhythm of the final line is slightly disjointed but guided and matched by all instruments. For a split second there is a longer pause before the final syllable, and it is perfection.

After Dark is a balanced combination of explosive rock and psychedelic soul elements from previous songs, making it clear why Fowles chose this as the title track. Vulnerable lines like, "Into the park after dark / Stumbling through my memories / Into the park after dark / Reaching out for what my eyes can’t see,” and, “When I’m trying / not to lose my head / When I fall down / for you" are all the evidence we need to rest assured in Fowles’ talent as a songwriter.

Freedom breaks the darker trance set by After Dark. Listening to this one feels like Fowles is leading you by hand to a new, undiscovered part of the After Dark world, where the moon has been replaced by a disco ball and all residents are legally required to wear go-go boots and use roller skates as their main mode of transport. It is a funky, upbeat track that opens with the grooviest of electronic basslines, immediately calling to mind the same 80’s vibes that belong in the Stranger Things soundtrack. Towards the end, we get a breakdown – a mix of playful vocals, stacked harmonic hums, and majestic synth, driven by a continuous bassline and drums – that gives you no other choice but to dance.

Slipping Away picks up right where Freedom leaves off, keeping the funky, disco dance vibe alive. It’s got one of the catchiest hooks on the album: "I can’t stand you slipping away from me / I can’t breathe as I'm slipping down into the deep, yeah." It’s the kind of line that sticks with you, a bittersweet pull that blends perfectly with the upbeat groove.

Then there’s Sitting On Top Of The World, signaling a shift in the After Dark story with its slower, laid-back bluesy feel. This one opens with cicadas chirping, like a soundtrack to a sunny Kiwi day, as light drums and keys set the scene. Fowles’ hopeful lyrics pull you right into this easy going moment: "I feel the sunshine on my face / Listening to the crashing waves / I feel the sand between my toes / Worries gone as the wind blows." A repeated electric guitar riff flows in the background, leading into a killer breakdown that’s all about improvisation with drums and keys jumping in. You can almost picture yourself there, eyes closed, soaking up the live energy.

As the curtain starts to lower on the album, Sometimes Part 1 brings in a warped electric guitar, synths, and syncopated drums for a genre-blending, funky finale. Fowles sings about feeling lost — "can’t find my way back home” — but the musical control here shows he knows exactly what he’s doing. The track is layered and intentional, in a way only someone with his level of skill with arrangement and production can achieve.

Sometimes Part 2 slip, slop, slap and wraps up this Kiwi gem of a project, opening with a cosmic, atmospheric soundscape that mirrors the Intro, while an electric guitar slowly winds down the show. There are no lyrics, but the track is far from empty; every note and beat seems placed just right, giving the album a beautifully fitting close. It’s the kind of ending that you really have to experience for yourself, so I shan’t write anymore about it. All I’ll say is that After Dark doesn’t truly end until the last beat of this final track, leaving you with a lingering sense of something magical.

Overall, After Dark is a captivating album that reveals Sam Fowles as a master of atmospheric storytelling and genre fusion. Each track, from the driving Chasing Dragons to the mellow Sitting On Top Of The World and the powerful yet ethereal close of Sometimes Part 2, builds on Fowles’ world of raw emotion and intricate soundscapes. His soulful voice, combined with rich instrumentals and poetic lyrics, creates an immersive experience that’s as introspective as it is inventive. With After Dark, Fowles offers listeners a journey through his creative universe that you won’t ever want to leave.

• 1
  Head Like A Hole
• 2
  Fraser Ross
• 3
  Horror Story
• 4
  Fur Patrol
• 5
  L.A.B.
• 6
  Michelle Rounds
• 7
  Devilskin
• 8
  Coridian
• 9
  The Boondocks
• 10
  Late to Chelsea

• 
  Dream Chambers @ Meow Nui, Wellington - 14/12/2024
• 
  The Phoenix Foundation @ Meow Nui, Wellington - 14/12/2024
• 
  Cassie Henderson @ The Powerstation, Auckland - 07/12/2024
• 
  Frankie Venter @ The Powerstation, Auckland - 07/12/2024

• 1
  APT.
  ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
• 2
  DIE WITH A SMILE
  Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
• 3
  BIRDS OF A FEATHER
  Billie Eilish
• 4
  TASTE
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 5
  I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
  Gracie Abrams
• 6
  ESPRESSO
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 7
  SAILOR SONG
  Gigi Perez
• 8
  LOSE CONTROL
  Teddy Swims
• 9
  A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
  Shaboozey
• 10
  GOOD LUCK, BABE!
  Chappell Roan

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