Afterhours

afterhours is the tenth studio album by British recording artist Alesha. The album is the follow-up to her self-titled ninth studio album, which was released in 2014 after a three-year hiatus and became the best-selling album of Alesha's extensive career. Alesha began writing for afterhours as soon as the previous album was released. The album was released via Fusion Records in August 2015, fifteen months after Alesha.

Development
In 2014, Alesha returned from a three-year hiatus with her self-titled ninth studio album. Alesha became her fastest- and best-selling album to date, spawning a string of platinum hit singles including the chart-toppers "Opulence"/"Unbeknownst" (with Paulo Araujo) and "Number One". As soon as the album was released in May 2014, Alesha began writing for her tenth studio album. After striving for commerciality with her self-titled release, Alesha hoped to challenge herself creatively by recording a pop concept album.

Alesha recorded over 30 tracks for the album over the course of a year. For inspiration, Alesha recalled music from her early childhood. She found herself particularly drawn to the music of the late 1980s and early 1990s, as well as its historical context. The sound of the early '90s, specifically house music, had already played a role in influencing certain tracks from Alesha and, more noticeably, the "Gianni" EP (2015).

Singles
"In love today" was released as the first single from afterhours on June 22, 2015. Its premiere and subsequent release coincidentally coincided with the overturning of same-sex marriage bans in Ireland and the United States. The single shifted a massive 142,000 copies in its first week of release.

Tour
Alesha promoted the album with a string of festival appearances during summer 2015, beginning with a headlining slot at Governors Ball in New York City. Alesha appeared at Bonnaroo a week later, performing a set comprised of the more alternative moments in her back catalog – mostly songs from Bigger Than God (2009) and The Martyr (2011). Alesha also appeared at a slew of other festivals, including Glastonbury, Lollapalooza and V; the appearances were dubbed the Black Leather Festival Tour.

Track listing
All songs written and produced by Alesha except where noted.


 * 1) "M4M"
 * 2) "Count on"
 * 3) "Black leather"
 * 4) "In love today"
 * 5) "Keeping me alive"
 * 6) "Devil-may-care"
 * 7) "Repressed"
 * 8) "Rogue smoke" †
 * 9) "New York cab"
 * 10) "Die alone"
 * 11) "2 years"
 * 12) "Cruising"
 * 13) "Another American"


 * Notes
 * † "Rogue smoke" is written by Aurora Reed.