Afterglow (Sarah McLachlan album)

Afterglow is the fifth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan, released on November 4, 2003, by Arista Records. It marked McLachlan's return to recording after a six-year hiatus, during which she gave birth to her first child.

The album represents a departure from her earlier, more ethereal sound, incorporating a more grounded and mature approach to songwriting and production. Thematically, Afterglow explores themes of motherhood, love, loss, and the passage of time.

Afterglow debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States, selling 270,000 copies in its first week. It also topped the charts in Canada and Australia. The album spawned several successful singles, including "Fallen," "World on Fire," and "Push." "Fallen" became a major hit, reaching the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The album received mostly positive reviews from critics, who praised McLachlan's songwriting and vocal performance, as well as the album's production quality. Afterglow was nominated for two Grammy Awards in 2004: Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Fallen."

Afterglow has been certified 4x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), signifying sales of over 4 million copies in the United States. It remains one of McLachlan's most successful and critically acclaimed albums.