The fallout after a breakup can be worse than the split itself. Carter Faith explores that messy, complicated experience on The Aftermath, a five-pack of sad, sassy country songs about difficult endings and new beginnings. The Aftermath opens with its title track, a gentle and melodic heartbreak ballad that, with Faith’s nimble vocals, recalls Carly Pearce and Lee Ann Womack. “Alright” chronicles the “shot of ecstasy” that is new love, with appropriately dramatic production. “Strong Stuff” gives country’s drinking-song trope a sexy makeover, with a well-placed F-bomb dropped in the chorus for good measure, while the sweet and encouraging “Late Bloomer” gives Faith room to show off her softer side. Bluegrass and roots music legend Alison Krauss joins Faith on “Blue Bird,” a clever and vulnerable heartbreak song that invokes Tom Petty and makes ample use of both singers’ agile and complementary voices. The North Carolina-born singer-songwriter co-wrote each track, with co-writers including Ashley Monroe and Jessie Jo Dillon.