New single “Pigs Will Fly” out 2 October / Debut EP “Floating Up To Meet You” follows 16 October 2026
The Afterword write melodic indie-pop songs shaped by bittersweet self-irony, big choruses and cinematic melancholy. On 2 October, British duo The Afterword release Pigs Will Fly, the final preview of their debut EP Floating Up To Meet You, which follows two weeks later on 16 October via Fabrique Records.
Warm, playful and slightly surreal, Pigs Will Fly opens another window into The Afterword’s world. Following the reflective An Illusion, the bittersweet escapism of LA and the intimacy of Siren Smile, the new single leans fully into fantasy.
“Inspired by the spellbinding imagery and chaotic energy of Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita, this track is pure escapism. We invite everyone to soar above the world for a moment and lose themselves in the food, fashion, and music of a magical ball.”
Produced by Mario Fartacek and Moritz Kristmann, Floating Up To Meet You brings together five songs written at very different points in Tom Walkden and Alex Billig’s lives. Some are recent, others have been with them for years. Melancholy sits alongside humour, intimate moments can suddenly open into something much bigger, and memorable melodies remain at the centre.
“This debut EP means so much to us, combining newly inspired tracks with songs we have been nurturing for years. It’s an initial snapshot of the raw emotion, musical variety and diverse themes that drive our sound. We’re so excited to share our first chapter, because this is just the beginning for The Afterword.”
Across its five tracks, the EP moves naturally between indie-pop, folk and rock. An Illusion begins with understated guitar and close harmonies, while Siren Smile turns towards piano, acoustic guitar, flute, flugelhorn and choir. LA swaps introspection for drum machines, bright melodies and a dryly funny daydream of Los Angeles.
After the magical detour of Pigs Will Fly, the EP closes with Dancing Bear, a sprawling song that reaches across centuries while drawing together many of the ideas running through the record – memory, longing, absurdity and hope. Its chorus also gives Floating Up To Meet You its title.
The Afterword brings together British songwriters Tom Walkden and Alex Billig. Walkden has previously collaborated as a vocalist and lyricist with Boz Boorer, longtime musical partner and co-writer to Morrissey, while Billig is a classically trained pianist. The pair previously played together in Oxford-formed band Wolventrix, whose songs caught the attention of NME, which praised their “emotionally raw lyrics and immense choruses”.
