Next Up Forever Explained

Next Up Forever
Type:song
Artist:AJR
Album:Neotheater
Recorded:2018–2019
Genre:Electropop[1]
Length:4:16
Label:
  • AJR Productions
  • BMG
Producer:Ryan Met

"Next Up Forever" is a song by American pop band AJR, appearing as the opening track on their third studio album Neotheater.

Background

After the success of the band's second studio album, The Click (2017), AJR began stressing if their career had peaked. The band took inspiration from this fear and put into their writing, preferring the feeling of anticipating something rather than having it.[2] AJR included "Next Up Forever" as the opening track of Neotheater, contrasting from their albums Living Room, The Click, and OK Orchestra with each containing an overture as the album's first song.[3]

Composition and production

The song is composed in time signature in the key of B-flat major and follows a tempo of 90 beats per minute (bpm). After the success The Click, AJR had a higher budget than their first two studio albums, so the band decided to spend more on their production. A live orchestra was in the studio, re-performing a synthesizer demo into saxophone, flute, and string instruments. AJR additionally hired Bruce Healey, a previous arranger for the Mellomen's music, to arrange the choir on "Next Up Forever".[4] Healey used recording equipment such as a Pacific Bell telephone from the 1940s to create an authentic close harmony choir sound rather than using plug-ins to emulate the sound. The song's drums take inspiration from "Pretty Girl Rock" by Keri Hilson.[5]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Weinzapfel. Olivia. AJR’s 'Neotheater' provides songs for the subjective soul. Ball State Daily. en. May 1, 2019. January 16, 2024.
  2. Web site: Steeves. Audrey. Interview: AJR Will Be Next Up Forever. Atwood Magazine. en. July 5, 2019. January 16, 2024.
  3. Web site: Davis. Talia. AJR takes a risk with a new but familiar sound on new album. The Breeze. en. May 1, 2019. January 16, 2024.
  4. AJR. AJR Breaks Down Their New Album Neotheater. YouTube video. Zach Sang Show. English. 45:34. April 29, 2019. January 16, 2024.
  5. Web site: Met. Ryan. How We Made: Next Up Forever. Instagram. en. July 1, 2019. January 16, 2024.
  6. Web site: Credits / Neotheater / AJR . April 26, 2019 . Tidal. January 16, 2023.