'Afterglow' is a song produced by British, drum and bass artist Wilkinson alongside Becky Hill. The video shows a couple's relationship over five years including statistics of things they have done over this length of time.
It was released on the 13th October 2013 and is the fourth single on the debut album 'Lasers Not Included'.
This song would best fit into Andrew Goodwin's category Amplifies.
There is a long shot at the beginning, establishing 2 people called Paul and Dana who have been 'dating for 5 years' whilst there is non-diegetic sound of a piano over the top of the visuals.
Following this there are 2 establishing shots of a flat and then a room, the camera pans around the room and during these shots we hear the lyrics 'Even though the dancing's done. Don't worry cause the night is young.' which gives the audience an impression that this is the couple's house and the room that is seen is currently being decorated, as we see mess and un-organisation, suggesting the beginning of their relationship. Furthermore this tells us that their love is thriving, supported by 'night is young' - showing that their love is still fresh and exciting, like a night of fun, even as the relationship continues. After this the lyrics ' Who cares where we go, we're ready for the afterglow' are heard and there are shots of clocks, a map and also 143 unread books. This shows the time they have shared together and also the places they have been as well as unfinished things that are yet to be done. We get the impression that 'who cares where we go' is implying the map and that other people aren't accepting of their relationship but it will continue to thrive regardless of other's opinions. 'the afterglow' suggests that there is something they are waiting for and that in time things will get better and everything will be sorted out. The essence of time is shown through the things they have participated in.
After this the editing picks up and a beat can be heard in the background as well as harmonies. 'Someone pull the sunlight back' means that they want the night to continue and is maybe a metaphor for their relationship. Furthermore, as the editing picks up we get the sense that time is going faster as the night or relationship continues and the 'sunlight' is a metaphor for a lighter, easier path. In this case, the music becomes more lively and it finally becomes more to the genre of drum and bass and what the audience expect. Moreover, because of this, the editing matches the music and visuals and everything becomes synchronised.
'8 Goldfish' and '1 Predator' show a victim and a potential killer or suspect. This could show that the couple is victimised or, to juxtapose, that they are predators that hunt for 'the afterglow'. Whilst this is seen we hear '...this night to last.', which shows that they both want the relationship to continue and that they are predators/prey for that reason, almost as a lust for the relationship. However, the next part is also illustrative as we can see a group of people raving and the lyrics are 'love and ravers'. Although it comes afterwards, there is still that illustrative sense.
Afterwards, the song continues and the verse comes back as the editing slows down. Then as the line 'We're ready for the afterglow' comes back in again we see the woman, who is half-naked and the line '16 apologies'. This conveys that even though there have been arguments, they are still hoping for that better stage in life. Later, towards the end of the video, we see matching 'X' and 'O' tattoos to show that their love has continued and that the relationship is still strong and by the end of the video it is portrayed as the couple kiss passionately.
After this the editing picks up and a beat can be heard in the background as well as harmonies. 'Someone pull the sunlight back' means that they want the night to continue and is maybe a metaphor for their relationship. Furthermore, as the editing picks up we get the sense that time is going faster as the night or relationship continues and the 'sunlight' is a metaphor for a lighter, easier path. In this case, the music becomes more lively and it finally becomes more to the genre of drum and bass and what the audience expect. Moreover, because of this, the editing matches the music and visuals and everything becomes synchronised.
'8 Goldfish' and '1 Predator' show a victim and a potential killer or suspect. This could show that the couple is victimised or, to juxtapose, that they are predators that hunt for 'the afterglow'. Whilst this is seen we hear '...this night to last.', which shows that they both want the relationship to continue and that they are predators/prey for that reason, almost as a lust for the relationship. However, the next part is also illustrative as we can see a group of people raving and the lyrics are 'love and ravers'. Although it comes afterwards, there is still that illustrative sense.
Afterwards, the song continues and the verse comes back as the editing slows down. Then as the line 'We're ready for the afterglow' comes back in again we see the woman, who is half-naked and the line '16 apologies'. This conveys that even though there have been arguments, they are still hoping for that better stage in life. Later, towards the end of the video, we see matching 'X' and 'O' tattoos to show that their love has continued and that the relationship is still strong and by the end of the video it is portrayed as the couple kiss passionately.
