After Takes Listeners Back to the 2000s With a New Playlist

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This is SOUND ADVICE, the home of playlists created by the friends, rivals, and romantic interests of Interview. Our latest editions have included musical selections from Anok Yai, girlsweetvoiced, and Cannelle. This week, the choices come from After, a Los Angeles duo featuring Justine Dorsey and Graham Epstein, who originally matched on Hinge before becoming musical partners. Their connection began through a mutual affection for the music of the early 2000s, eventually inspiring them to blend their influences into a sound filled with irresistible nostalgia. Listening to their songs feels like driving beneath an open sky, plunging into icy water, and suddenly experiencing déjà vu at the same moment. Their upcoming first record, Fell Asleep in the Sun, celebrates a less complicated time while trying to hold onto its warmth for a little longer. To mark the arrival of the album’s title song today, the pair assembled a playlist featuring Y2K favorites such as Björk, Coldplay, and Hillary Duff. They also completed our questionnaire, opening up about the songs that defined their younger years, the items they always need while recording, and the real sound of nostalgia.

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Your favorite Y2K anthem?

GRAHAM EPSTEIN: “Blurry” by Puddle of Mudd

JUSTINE DORSEY: “White Flag” by Dido

What’s a song on this playlist you wish you wrote?

“Monsoon” by Tokio Hotel

Dream collab, dead or alive?

Adam Schlesinger

Music duo after stands in the desert wearing all black

What does nostalgia sound like?

A cold beach

Is there a song on this playlist that reminds you of a certain memory?

EPSTEIN: We listened to “Tornados” by Ben Lee a lot in the family car around the same time I was obsessed with lighthouses. So really associate this song with going on these little family trips to as many lighthouses as we could. 

DORSEY: We had a trampoline in our backyard and Mylo Xyloto was my trampolining album. It reminds me of grey days that aren’t quite cold enough, not quite warm enough either.

Three things you always bring with you to the studio:

3 Diet Cokes

Graham Epstein posing with a hat on in front of a ferris wheel

What’s a lyric on this playlist you’ll never forget?

“I defy.” – Hilary Duff

Where are you most inspired?

Wherever we’re homesick.

Name your favorite artist no one knows about:

EPSTEIN: Coffret de Bijoux, a Québécoise black metal artist I’m obsessed with. She experiments with so many genres. Some of the best songs I’ve heard in awhile.

Justine Dorsey in a selfie with a sandy desert background

Describe your debut album in three words:

Sands of time

Between the two of you, who’s always on aux?

Graham!

How do you influence each other’s taste?

DORSEY: Graham has shown me so much music, artwork, and film that means a lot to me now. He’s like The Matrix. I feel like I see so much of the world through his lens.

EPSTEIN: Justine’s taste and vision has definitely changed the way I perceive things. Like in the imagery she gravitates towards, and in fashion, and color, it’s all very true to herself. She has a crazy eye for small things that end up being game changers in our art that I 100 percent hold on to and trust. 

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Nia Na’an Brings Playful Energy and a Message of Joy With “Bobble Bobble Wiggle Bounce”

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CHICAGO — August 19, 2026 — There is something infectious about Nia Na’an. Bright, playful and full of youthful energy, the Chicago-born artist approaches music with an uncomplicated philosophy: have fun, enjoy the moment and remember that everything is going to be okay. That spirit shines through on her latest single, “Bobble Bobble Wiggle Bounce,” released August 7, 2026.

Blending Pop, R&B and Hip Hop, “Bobble Bobble Wiggle Bounce” is an invitation to loosen up and let the music move you. Built around an irresistible groove and playful rhythmic phrasing, the track captures Nia’s carefree outlook while showcasing her knack for turning a simple moment into something memorable.

The song itself was born from an equally playful idea. Inspired by the rhythmic motion of Double Dutch jump rope, its concept began with imagining gumdrops jumping rope before evolving into the song’s melody and lyrics. What emerged is a track that can be enjoyed simply for its infectious energy while leaving plenty of room for listeners to interpret its playful lyrics in their own way.

For Nia, that sense of freedom is at the heart of her music. She is a young artist with an optimistic view of the world, someone who would rather spread joy than dwell on what weighs people down. Her music gives that personality a place to shine, creating an atmosphere where listeners can settle into the groove, smile and simply have a good time.

That intention is already evident in the song’s ability to linger. “Bobble Bobble Wiggle Bounce” has a subtly infectious quality, with its central refrain staying with listeners long after the track ends. Its understated backbeat keeps things relaxed rather than frantic, allowing Nia’s rhythmic vocal delivery to move naturally around the groove.

Nia’s creative world extends between her hometown of Chicago and California, where she spends time in Temecula and Los Angeles pursuing music and creative inspiration. Her Chicago roots remain an important part of her identity, connecting her to the urban energy and cultural traditions that helped inspire the song’s Double Dutch foundation.

Behind the music is producer John Martin Hunter of Cowhand Rockstar, LLC, whose production gives Nia room to inhabit her own colorful musical world. Rather than being defined by a single genre or mood, Nia’s music reflects a broad creative palette while allowing her personality to remain at the center.

Ultimately, Nia Na’an wants listeners to feel something simple but powerful: a little lighter than they did before they pressed play. “Bobble Bobble Wiggle Bounce” is her invitation to find the rhythm, embrace the fun and let go for a moment.

“I want people to know that no matter what’s happening around you, you can still find a reason to smile, dance and keep going. Everything gonna be alright!” — Nia Na’an

“Bobble Bobble Wiggle Bounce” is available now on Spotify, and received promotional 

Visit Nia Na’an’s Official Website | Spotify | Apple Music and iTunes

About Nia Na’an

Nia Na’an is a Chicago-born artist whose music blends Pop, R&B and Hip Hop with a playful, rhythmic sensibility. Spending time between Chicago and California, Nia brings a youthful perspective and an optimistic spirit to her music. Her songs reflect her love of fun, creativity, connection and the simple joys of being present in the moment.

Nia Na’an is managed and produced by John Martin Hunter on behalf of Cowhand Rockstar, LLC. Her music is part of The Proda J Collection, a sampling of Cowhand Rockstar’s rap, hip hop, pop and punk-inspired creations presented through Nia’s distinctive artistic voice. For more from John Martin Hunter and Cowhand Rockstar, follow along on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook:

YouTube | Instagram | Facebook

Go check out “Bobble Bobble Wiggle Bounce” and stream it now!

 
 

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