In specific instances, music transcends beyond mere chords, melody, and rhythm. Certain compositions wield the ability to eloquently translate the intricacies of the human soul and emotions with remarkable precision thanks to their profound artistic approach.
Dominic Romano, a singer, composer, and music producer, is one of those artists gifted with this innate ability, and he manages to portray it very distinctly throughout his years as an independent artist. With his latest release, "after we're gone," he invites us to experience a fusion of his musical prowess and, through an emotive narrative, to immerse ourselves in the very essence of his deepest feelings. granting a glimpse into the most intimate facets of his persona.
In this article, we will delve into the fabric of this captivating composition, uncovering the layers that make up its sonic landscape and exploring how Romano manages to convey a substantial aspect of his personal growth through music, stemming from a heartbreak that completely reshaped his perspective on life.
From the inspiration behind its creation to the intricate details of its production, join us as we unravel the universe of "after we're gone."
“after we’re gone is one those songs that is still teaching me how to talk about it. Recovering from something like this is a journey that takes a while.”
- Dominic Romano
About the Artist
Dominic Romano is a singer-songwriter, producer, performer, and recording engineer from Arcata, California. His music encompasses a stylistic breadth and depth, spanning multiple genres including folk, singer-songwriter, pop, and bluegrass. His sound is an authentic blend of the old and the new, with reflective lyrics supported by catchy melodies.
About the Release
Drawn from personal experience as well as from listening to a lot of others’ thoughts, Dominic Romano shares some of his most vulnerable thoughts on what it means to recognize and recover from a toxic relationship. As a production, After We’re Gone is one of Dominic’s most ambitious and epic sounding projects to date.
Recorded in his professional studio in northern california, Dominic worked with some incredibly talented people to bring this whole piece to life. After laying down the initial acoustic guitar and vocals, Dominic brought in string arranger Harley Eblen to help capture this feeling of a beautiful and fiery state of decay that the song speaks of. Dominic continued to arrange and bring the instruments and the rise and fall of the song into being until finally sending the tracks off for an incredible mix by Charles Henry Volk.
In-Depth Analysis
"after we're gone" begins with Dominic's warm and enchanting voice, its gentleness and delicacy envelopes our senses from the very beginning, drawing us into this extraordinary musical creation. Accompanying his vocals is the exquisite resonance of a guitar, weaving a melodic sequence that becomes irresistibly entrancing through the ingenious application of a refined technique involving natural harmonics. Together, voice and guitar create a sonic landscape that evokes a ‘dreamlike’ and utopian aura, as if we are immersed in the singer's most intense emotions and hazy, profound memories, experiencing his feelings firsthand. This initial section unfolds with astonishing fluidity, as if the music itself were a vehicle for expressing the nuances of Romano's emotional experience.
This song has the particularity of being a piece that builds up gradually and maintains itself in a constant evolution. As the composition unfolds, it progressively incorporates different musical resources and harmonic arrangements, organically captivating the senses of those who listen to it. An example of this is the addition of a second guitar in the fourth measure of the first verse, replicating the main melody using the same harmonic technique but at an interval of a third above its main melodic line. To these, the elegant sound of a violin is added, providing depth and incredible richness to the mix, making it fully vibrant and immersive. This formula becomes a highly effective element in capturing listeners' attention from the very beginning and maintaining their captivation throughout its entire extension. It acts as a 'surprise factor,' where we never quite know what is coming next, generating an engaging auditory experience from start to finish.
In 'after we're gone,' an intriguing theme is presented that revolves around emotional conflict in a turbulent relationship. Throughout the song, Dominic reflects on the difficult moments and how they've impacted his mind and feelings after escaping from this stormy romance.
The way this story is told through the song's lyrics is an engaging narrative, using various literary devices to effectively convey the message. One of the most notable devices is the ‘visual and sensory imagery’, present in lines like: "Nothing’s as quiet as my mind after the storm / Like the oppressive silence that follows a slamming door,” “Late nights / ‘Til sun cracked through / Embrace light / In search of you," and "Together we’re music sounding right off of the walls." Here, the singer creates comparisons between his emotions and tangible elements, deepening the emotional resonance.
Another noteworthy literary device the singer employs in crafting his narrative is a shift in temporal perspective, constantly blending present and past moments. This adds an extra layer that allows us to appreciate his struggle to understand and overcome a passionate relationship that no longer exists in his life. When analyzed from this perspective, "after we're gone" aligns very closely with its underlying theme. Its ‘dreamlike’ aura effectively relates to the sensation of memories from the past, while its progressive musical structure, introducing melodic elements one by one, gradually immerses us in the intensity he experienced during the romantic relationship he experienced.
The song's chorus is a truly satisfying experience as well. Dominic, with his incredible voice, interprets a catchy melody that functions as an anthem for what was once an intense and passionate love, with the lines: "We sang while, the world it burned. To escape signs, Clearly discerned Please erase my memories after we’re gone," expressing himself as if he were gently placing a definitive end on that emotional bond but in a nostalgic yet elegant manner. (At this point in the song, we wouldn’t want to be Dominic's ex-partner; after hearing this beautiful song, I would likely regret ending things... Nobody takes the time to close the door on a relationship so delicately. Isn't that, right?)
The piece traverses through various sections that allow for a multitude of harmonies in both vocal and instrumental parts. However, the true auditory climax doesn't arrive until the 3:00 mark, where the surprising sound of a robust percussion, notably accentuated on the drum ‘toms’, begins to create a solid rhythmic background. This seamlessly merges with the rest of the instruments and Romano's vocals, culminating abruptly and returning to the initial melodic structure present in the introductory section. Here, the guitars with harmonics appears one more time, and the intensity of the instrumental backdrop descends, creating an intensely emotive and memorable ending.
“after we’re gone” is another of Dominic Romano’s incredible musical works, adding to his extensive and distinguished discography. However, it marks a true milestone in his musical career, as together with his previous release, "Who I Am," they clearly showcase his evolution as a singer, composer, and producer of his own works. This sets the stage for the creative direction his upcoming releases will take.
We invite you to follow Dominic Romano on his social media platforms to stay updated on his news and upcoming musical projects. Additionally, we extend a warm invitation to our community not only to enjoy this incredible song but also to explore his entire repertoire and discography.
Dominic Romano On-Line
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1wYPq0UACvcAp42cmtG3Sr?si=NQSHchekT1OdWXnRnGOvXA&dl_branch=1
Bandcamp: https://dominicromano.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dromanomusic/