As a music journalist, I often come across songs that captivate me with their melodies and lyrics. One such song that left a lasting impression on me is “Afterglow” by The Driver Era. I first heard this song while browsing through a playlist on a sunny afternoon, and its catchy tunes and relatable lyrics instantly caught my attention.

Released in 2019 as part of their debut album, X, “Afterglow” tells a story of a fleeting connection and a summer romance. The song takes us back to a time in Cabo, Mexico, where the members of The Driver Era, Ross and Rocky Lynch, found themselves alone and enamored. It’s a tale of a brief encounter with a girl, filled with excitement and the bittersweet realization that it won’t last for long.

The opening verse sets the tone, describing how the story unfolds in Mexico, not too long ago. The lyrics paint a picture of a momentary escape from reality, where they were all alone, indulging in drinks and wondering if this girl could be the one to spend their days with. However, reality sets in as they realize her dreams are only past 17, highlighting the transient nature of their connection.

The chorus echoes the sense of longing and departure that permeates the song. The girl, represented as “she,” goes away, knowing her own path while leaving the narrator behind in the afterglow of their time together. It’s a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of relationships and the lingering feelings that remain once the person has left.

The second verse delves deeper into the emotions surrounding this summer romance. The cold water and warm body symbolize the contrasting feelings of reluctance and desire. The narrator tries to resist the allure, but the familiarity of this situation suggests that this is not the first time they have found themselves in this fleeting love affair. They dance on the beach, pretending and wanting to feel love, but understanding that their high is bound to fade.

The bridge shifts the focus to the narrator’s perspective, expressing the need to convey their feelings to this girl. These words about her have been lingering since the beginning, implying a deep connection that goes beyond the surface-level encounter. The memories in Cabo hold significance, becoming a lasting imprint of their time together as she goes away, leaving the narrator in the afterglow.

The third verse introduces a longing for reunion, as the narrator asks if they can kick it with this girl again in the future. They express a desire to go back to that place, to dance all night, and hold on to the memories. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the narrator is drifting away, struggling to picture her face and acknowledging the inevitable fading of their connection.

The chorus and outro circle back to the initial theme, intensifying the emotions expressed throughout the song. The afterglow becomes a symbolic representation of the lingering feelings and memories that remain after a brief encounter. The repetition of “she goes” and the realization that the memories in Cabo will stay with the narrator emphasize the transient nature of their time together.

“Afterglow” by The Driver Era is more than just a catchy summer tune. It encapsulates the universal experience of fleeting connections and the mix of emotions that come along with them. The song’s relatability lies in its ability to evoke our own memories and feelings of temporary encounters, leaving behind a sense of longing and nostalgia.

Listening to this song brings back memories of my own summer romances and the wistful afterglow that followed. It reminds me of the warmth of those fleeting connections and the need to hold on to the memories, even though they are bound to fade over time.

So, next time you find yourself longing for a taste of summer love and reminiscing about those brief encounters, give “Afterglow” by The Driver Era a listen, and let its melodies and lyrics transport you to a world of transient connections and bittersweet memories.

Credits:

Written By: Rocky Lynch & Ross Lynch

Release Date: July 4, 2018

Album title: X (2019)