C.J. Sparks, the remarkable folk-pop singer-songwriter has released his first solo single, “After the Fact” today! He grew a strong following as the songwriter and front man of the Beatnik Bandits. They have been releasing music since 2019, and obtained over 15,000 monthly listeners on Spotify alone. Gaining inspiration from artists such as Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Tom Petty, C.J. had created an incredible sound for himself. As the first single from his upcoming album “Almost Fiction”, this song was created to inspire you to "break free from the shackles and run from the gossip, evoking anger, sadness, and the realization that some things are better left in the past."

Prior to hearing "After the Fact" I had not yet heard of C.J. or his prior band work. Though this song is fairly short, I feel it shows off how incredible C.J.'s talent is. Within seconds I was completely drawn in.

The guitar at the beginning of the track, building up with the tempo, was an incredible choice. The chord progression is heavenly, and the vocals blend perfectly. The mix between moments with only the acoustic guitar switching to the range of instruments adds a great twist to the song. It is reminiscent of the feeling one might get when they are happy and find solace in such life moments. His tone and range are also note-worthy; with ability to switch from wispy vocals to a fuller sound. For this track to be his first solo track, I was deeply impressed by how incredibly quickly he's found a sound that suits him so perfectly. I feel many artists take many tracks to find a sound that fits their vocals correctly, yet C.J. has done just that .

The attention to detail in the production is also evident in how cohesive the song sounds and feels. C.J.'s voice is truly mesmerizing. As somebody who is only starting off, I am absolutely positive he will be taking on the rise in the industry soon. Despite the song being shorter than your typical track, I feel C.J. is still able to capture every element needed! All in all, this song is absolutely incredible and I wish it were longer.

If you're looking for a new track to tug at your heartstrings and make you scream that lyrics at the top of your lungs, "After the Fact" will be the perfect addition to your playlist. If you love artists such as Noah Kahan, The Lumineers, and Lizzy McAlpine you will adore C.J Sparks! "After the Fact" is out now on all streaming platforms and we highly suggest checking it out. If you want to follow an artist from the very start C.J is the perfect pick. This is only the start of his career as a solo artists, so follow along to see his journey progress this year!