Following the conceptual journey established on After Everything, Before It Mattered shifts the focus backwards, exploring the same life before experience had transformed ordinary moments into defining memories. Rather than dwelling on reflection or hindsight, the album exists in the present tense of youth: late-night drives, first jobs, friendships, concerts, camping trips, and countless seemingly insignificant moments that only gain meaning years later. It’s an interesting premise, and one that gives the record a clear sense of identity from beginning to end.
Musically, Before It Mattered leans heavily into a nostalgic 2000s pop-rock sound. If you were told this album had been released during that era, you probably wouldn’t question it. The bright guitar work, driving rhythms, and melodic choruses all feel comfortably rooted in that style, creating a familiar and approachable listening experience. More importantly, the album maintains a remarkably consistent atmosphere throughout. Every song feels like it belongs to the same story, carrying a shared energy and tone without becoming repetitive. That sense of cohesion is one of the album’s greatest strengths, making it feel like a complete body of work rather than simply a collection of songs.
The opening track, “Next Thing You Know,” immediately establishes that identity with a confident start. The backing vocals add an extra layer of energy that elevates the chorus, while the smooth guitar-led instrumental section just past the halfway point provides one of the album’s most memorable musical moments. It sets the tone effectively and invites the listener into the world the album is trying to capture.
As the album progresses, there are subtle stylistic shifts that keep things interesting without breaking its overall consistency. “Without A Clue,” for example, introduces an almost country-inspired flavour through its guitar work, giving the track a warm, summery feel that stands apart while still fitting naturally within the album’s broader sound. It’s another reminder that even within a defined musical palette, there is enough variety to prevent the record from feeling one-dimensional.
Throughout the album, the vocals remain one of its biggest highlights. 2nd Time Around is clearly a talented singer, delivering each performance with confidence and strong melodic control. The vocal performances carry the emotion of the lyrics naturally, never feeling forced or overdone. Combined with well-written lyricism, the storytelling feels authentic and grounded. The songs successfully capture ordinary experiences without trying to over-dramatise them, allowing their emotional impact to come from honesty rather than spectacle.
One aspect that’s harder to evaluate is the production. The artist openly states that the lyrics were written entirely by them while AI was used, under their direction, to assist with production. That choice is noticeable. The production has a distinctive AI-generated quality that occasionally feels different from what listeners might expect from a traditionally produced rock album. Whether that’s a positive or a negative will largely depend on personal preference, but it does make assessing the production itself more complicated. Rather than feeling like the product of a particular producer’s creative decisions, it often carries the recognisable characteristics of AI-assisted production, making it difficult to judge using the same criteria as a conventional studio recording.
Ultimately, Before It Mattered succeeds because of its songwriting and consistency. Its nostalgic 2000s pop-rock sound is executed well, the vocals are strong throughout, and the lyrics effectively capture the fleeting moments that eventually become defining memories. While the AI-assisted production introduces an unusual element that may divide listeners, it doesn’t overshadow the core strengths of the record. Instead, the album stands as an enjoyable and cohesive companion piece to After Everything, offering a thoughtful look at the experiences that matter most only after they’ve already passed.
SCORE/Excellent: Ultimately, Before It Mattered succeeds because its strongest elements are its songwriting and sense of identity. The nostalgic 2000s pop-rock sound, consistently strong vocal performances, and thoughtful lyricism combine to create an album that feels genuine and cohesive from start to finish. While the AI-assisted production gives the record a distinctive sound that may divide listeners, it never overshadows the heart of the music. Before It Mattered is an enjoyable, well-crafted album that captures the ordinary moments we rarely appreciate until they’re long behind us, making it a fitting and worthwhile companion to After Everything.
[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]
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