On Friday, November 15, Nessa Barrett unveiled her intimate and dance-worthy sophomore album, AFTERCARE. The 15-track record details the story of a passionate yet fractured affair, featuring previously released singles “DISCO (FT. TOMMY GENESIS)” and “MUSTANG BABY (FT. ARTEMAS).”
Barrett eases into the adrenaline-fueled record with the title track “AFTERCARE.” Listeners are instantly hooked by the jumbled intro, which when played in reverse reveals an intense love affair. “You love the chase, you love to win, Dripped in lace, your favorite sin, Pretty face, naked skin,” Barett sings, only to question in the following line, “But will you stay when it ends?”
Track two picks up speed with the pulsating dance anthem “PORNSTAR.” As the title suggests, the song is a seductive, no-holds-barred declaration of desire: “Flashing red light, Baby, you’re a star, F*ck me all night, Show me who you are.”
The destructive side of this passionate entanglement surfaces in vulnerable tracks like “Russian Roulette,” “Given Enough” and “Edward Scissorhands,” a nod to the iconic 90s Tim Burton film. “Given Enough” exposes the pain that interrupts the passion with lyrics like, “Look who’s coming back to life, just so you can suck me dry,” while “Edward Scissorhands” delves into the impact of unresolved trauma.
Track five, “PASSENGER PRINCESS,” has emerged as the album’s most-streamed song on Spotify, racking up 22 million streams and counting—and for good reason. The track showcases Barrett’s ability to craft a driving beat paired with an earworm chorus.
To celebrate the album’s release, Los Angeles’ Swingers diner has unveiled a limited-time AFTERCARE menu. “…come try the menu at @swingersdiner available nov 16th through december 1st ☆ i heard there’s a surprise in the photo booth too,” Barrett wrote on instagram.
Listen to the record below!