Sun Against Artemis Confront Inertia In “Afterglow”
No one wants to find themselves stuck in a standstill. A moment of pause sounds ideal, perhaps a chance for clarity, though it allows indecision to take hold, halting momentum and trapping us between the desire for change and the fear of the unknown. Here, passion dims not because it’s gone, but because it’s stuck, waiting for a spark to break the cycle and reignite growth. Fortunately, post-hardcore band Sun Against Artemis delivers that spark on their single “Afterglow,” an acute exploration of this stasis, brought vividly to life through a layered music video.
Shot by Ken Penn, the video captures the band performing in front of lattice window frames, a slightly classical architectural feature that underscores the band’s namesake and lofty ambition. Scenes shift between high-saturation brightness and moody shadows, showcasing intimate solo shots, full-band profiles, and blurred exposures of two members, creating a dreamlike effect enhanced by post-production filters and illuminating lens flare. The song balances a rotation of slashing, pounding rhythms and steady, propulsive grooves, an orbiting cycle the band navigates with controlled momentum. At its gravitational center is June Kambourian’s commanding vocal presence, anchoring the piece and video with charismatic conviction. Behind her, drummer Cason Duszak and bassist Cole Wise keep the pulse dynamic and vibrant, while guitarists Connor Giles and Nick Erickson add depth with shimmering textures and incisive riffs.
“I don’t agree with\ The sentiment that we all share\ To pick until it bleeds\ While we slip away without care,” Kambourian observes, detailing the song’s gripping tension that gives it such sonic velocity. “Oh, you don’t want to feel this way\ But I’m the one to feel it all,” she continues as she shoulders the emotional burden with melodic poise, leaning into the unease to turn emotional inertia into something visceral and cathartic. That impact helps the song’s force linger like its title suggests: heat that doesn’t fade once the flame burns out.
“Afterglow” is the second track from Sun Against Artemis’s latest EP, First Quarter, a five-song release that marks their return following their 2022 debut, Mind’s Eye. Produced by Mikey Canoy, the EP explores shifting sonic terrain, dense and impulsive yet sublime, thanks to the band’s sharp talent and nuanced message. Since First Quarter‘s release, the band has continued its momentum with the February single “Cherry Crush,” which shares both the visual aesthetic and sonic direction of the EP. The consistency suggests a larger arc in motion, perhaps one that will complete the cycle hinted at by the album’s title, a motif also echoed in the mythological and celestial duality embedded in their name. While the near future remains uncertain, what’s clear is the impressive leap Sun Against Artemis has made with this latest EP and its accompanying video, one we’re confident they’ll continue to surpass as time goes on.
Watch the video for “Afterglow” below and make sure to follow Sun Against Artemis on Instagram to stay up-to-date on their future releases and updates.
