Sunday After Dark - Better Off Alone

Sunday After Dark

Better Off Alone
self-released; 2015

3.5 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

The band Sunday After Dark comprised of George Schafer (vocals, guitar), Jack Payne (guitar), Paul Beville (bass guitar) and Andrew Espejo (drums) are a Los Angeles based band that released an EP entitled Better Off Alone. The title is indicative of the themes you are confronted with on the four songs. Shafer explores themes such as loss, longing and letting go through a hopelessly romantic first person perspective. The album cover does a nice job of summing things up. Although the themes and lyrics could be considered sad and depressing the music doesn’t feel like it. In fact some of the songs are outright exuberant.

Take for instance the opener “Wait For You” which revolves around a surf/rock vibe that contains light, clean guitars and some solid vocal harmonies. The drumming is crisp and the bassist tackles more than just root notes. Overall, the song is pretty catchy and is easy to catch a groove to.

The second track “Better Off Alone” is the anomaly in that it’s slower, soulful and feels like something that could have popular in the 1950’s. It works and the band delivers. Shafer sings about how he might be better off alone and needs some space. It also happens to be his most heartfelt and emotionally resonant performance. I hope to hear more of this style form the band in the future.

“Crash” had a bit more energy and gusto. Schafer put some urgency into his voice and I thought the guitar riffs were very integral to this track. The song goes through a number of effective changes including quick stop and starts, which make the song dynamic.

They close with my personal favorite entitled “Am I Losing You?” I loved the timing and thought that Schafer’s vocals were exceptional on this track. That being said, the drummer gives the most impressive technical performance. There isn't much to judge on Better Off Alone. From what I hear I dig it but I hope to hear more soon.

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