I was considering calling this album, "an atheist record for Jesus lovers" or "an atheist reincarnated," but “afterlife” felt best. I’m not religious, but I do pull inspiration from many spiritual teachers, new and old, and have had spiritual experiences that remind me to lead with love.
I have been dabbling in Buddhism for the past decade, but I still don't identify as a person who believes in reincarnation. I grew up in a Christian family, but I don’t believe in a god, a heaven, a hell, or an afterlife, but I understand why people do. I sympathize with how it might ease their pain to have something greater to live for, something magical, and a promise of no more suffering. I don't think there is a physical, "post-death", plane of existence that we walk around on barefoot and eat grapes and smile at each other for eternity, but I do believe in the metaphor "you die a little death each day," and with that, every exhale is an afterlife.
A tiny new beginning, a perpetual reset to live as if we are being given a new chance to exist, every moment. The same goes for the Buddhist idea of reincarnation. I feel that reincarnation doesn't happen after death; it happens within Life.
“Afterlife” has been in the works for the last 2 years
The albums ethos is about survival,
it's anticapitalist, it's abolitionist, it’s about selfcare and rehabilitation, it passes through liminal spaces, crossing over between living and dying and living again.
This album offers playfulness as defense against fearful conformity.
Offers protection and defense against targeted hatred and violence.
This album shows that humans are capable of living through devastating grief.
Self love and compassion will be needed,
the belief that humans are capable of changing for the better, will be needed.
the death of everything that isn't working, will be needed.
underneath rage and frustration, sadness and grief, and the fear of being vulnerable is a deep desire for connection and kindness.
We must focus on building relationships that will outlast the structures that attempt to separate us.
All we have is this moment to care, and to show up for each other.

Thanks to Fake Four & Back on the Grind for being communities committed to these values and inspiring me to keep making art that I believe in.
<3 Myles