Born out of both solitude and collaboration, Afternoon In The Park is an independent rock band grounded in emotional honesty and sonic craftsmanship. Based in Paris, France, the four-piece outfit comprises vocalist and guitarist Yamin Alma, guitarist Ari, drummer and programmer Julien, and bassist Thomas. The genesis of the band traces back to 2016, in the tranquil green expanse of Hyde Park, London, where Yamin spent long afternoons sketching songs with his guitar. These formative moments before the tides of Brexit, shaped the group’s humanist and impressionist ethos, placing personal narrative and existential reflection at the core of their music.
The band’s journey began in earnest when Yamin recorded early demos in his home studio and sent them to Gordon Raphael, the Grammy-winning producer celebrated for his work with The Strokes and Regina Spektor. Gordon, struck by the richness of Yamin’s songwriting and voice, eagerly joined the project, bringing with him a sharp ear for raw authenticity and tight arrangements. Drawing influence from early-2000s rock greats, Afternoon In The Park crafts a sound that is simultaneously high-energy and deeply contemplative. Their aesthetic is one of juxtaposition: gritty indie rock textures paired with moments of soft introspection.
Released on February 28th, 2025, Afternoon In The Park’s album “Livin’ Around The Sun” is a sweeping, analog-rich journey through the inner world of a single character, set against the constant backdrop of Earth’s orbit around the sun. Across 12 tracks, the album delves into the character’s emotional landscape, their doubts, hopes, vulnerabilities, and moments of wonder, transforming personal experience into something universally resonant. The album was recorded at Stéréodrome, a fully analog studio in Le Soler, a town close to Yamin Alma’s roots. The setting added intimacy and sincerity to the project, and this translates into the music itself. Utilizing vintage gear, tape machines, and classic microphones, the production avoids digital sheen in favor of something more tactile and human. Every guitar strum, every drum hit, every breath in the vocals feels present and alive.
Livin’ Around The Sun Album Track List:
I Wonder:
“I Wonder,” the opening track of “Livin’ Around The Sun”, bursts into motion with electrifying guitar riffs and tight, punchy beats that immediately set the tone for what’s to come. From the very first moments, it becomes clear that Afternoon In The Park are not just playing indie rock, they’re breathing new life into it. The track carries an undeniable momentum, fueled by a driving rhythm section and sparkling guitar lines that recall the spirit of bands like The Strokes and The Kooks, while maintaining the band’s own distinct flavor. There’s an infectious vibrancy here, restless, confident, and alive.
At the heart of “I Wonder” lies Yamin Alma’s vocal performance, which delivers introspection wrapped in melody. His voice is warm, poetic, and quietly contemplative, providing a striking contrast to the high-energy instrumentation. As he sings of questions, dreams, and the pull of the unknown, the song captures a kind of emotional friction between staying and leaving, between comfort and adventure. This tension is echoed beautifully in the song’s tight arrangement, where every element works in tandem, building a soundscape that feels both intimate and expansive.
Produced with finesse by Gordon Raphael, “I Wonder” showcases a polished yet organic sound. The track manages to feel nostalgic and modern all at once, balancing indie rock edge with a touch of pop clarity. It’s a track that invites movement as it taps into the human desire for escape and exploration. With its unforgettable chorus and soaring guitar work, “I Wonder” doesn’t just start the album, it sets a mission statement. It captures the spirit of Afternoon In The Park: thoughtful, melodic, and always reaching toward something just beyond the horizon.
Destination:
“Destination” stands out as one of the most compelling moments on “Livin’ Around The Sun”, offering a dynamic blend of sharp guitar lines and infectious rhythm that instantly pulls the listener in. The track opens with a strong, memorable hook that sets the tone for a journey both sonically and thematically. There’s an undeniable sense of momentum, each beat feels like a step forward, every chord a push toward something greater. It’s this forward-drive, underscored by melodic urgency and tight musicianship, that gives the track its magnetic pull.
Yamin Alma delivers the vocals with quiet intensity, balancing emotional vulnerability with a sense of determined clarity. The vocal blends seamlessly into the instrumentation, creating a soundscape where emotion and energy coexist. The chemistry among the band members is palpable, and the arrangement is tight without feeling sterile, a testament to both their cohesion and Gordon Raphael’s polished production.
Beyond its musical appeal, “Destination” carries a deeper message. The track becomes an urgent, impassioned reflection on the climate crisis and personal responsibility, a theme woven into its emotional fabric rather than preached aloud. The guitars, with their echoing tones and subtle tension, and the heartfelt vocal delivery transform the song into more than just a catchy indie rock number. It’s a call to awareness, wrapped in optimism and propelled by a belief in the possibility of change. With this track, Afternoon In The Park proves they’re not only skilled songwriters but thoughtful observers of the world around them.
Blood Cocktail:
“Blood Cocktail” emerges as the electrifying lead single from “Livin’ Around The Sun”, boldly establishing the emotional and sonic terrain that Afternoon In The Park set out to explore. From the very first bars, the track surges with energy, sharp, saturated guitars, frantic drums, and a melodic structure that wastes no time in sinking its teeth into the listener. There’s a cinematic quality to the song’s intensity, not just in its sound but in its storytelling. Short, edgy, and direct, “Blood Cocktail” channels the urgency of garage rock while weaving in a dark romanticism that’s as intriguing as it is visceral.
Thematically, the song paints a vivid and unconventional love story between a human and a vampire, unfolding like a high-voltage genre film set to fuzz-drenched guitars. It’s a clever metaphor, drawing on gothic imagery to delve into the darker sides of desire, vulnerability, and the unknown. Yamin Alma’s vocals are delivered with a mix of longing and tension, perfectly capturing the push and pull of forbidden connection. His voice, drenched in emotion yet controlled, brings a sense of humanity to a narrative that could otherwise veer into the fantastical. The result is both evocative and grounded, personal yet theatrical.
Despite its moody undertones, “Blood Cocktail” pulses with optimism and adrenaline. The track’s momentum is relentless, with Julien’s feverish drumming driving it forward and Thomas’ bassline grounding the chaos with precision. Ari’s guitar work glides between sharp riffs and immersive textures, giving the song both edge and atmosphere. The chorus, explosive and anthemic, feels tailor-made for the stage, its urgency and catchiness turning introspection into catharsis. It’s easy to imagine the song becoming a staple of the band’s live performances, igniting crowds with its raw emotional punch and infectious energy.
As the entry point into “Livin’ Around The Sun”, “Blood Cocktail” encapsulates what makes Afternoon In The Park a band worth watching. It’s a track that isn’t afraid to take risks, bold in concept, meticulous in execution, and emotionally resonant throughout. With Gordon Raphael’s refined yet raw production behind it, the song hits that rare sweet spot where indie rock grit meets cinematic ambition. For listeners new to the band, “Blood Cocktail” is the perfect introduction: immersive, unexpected, and impossible to forget.
Masterplan:
“Masterplan” is one of the most emotionally layered and musically rich tracks on “Livin’ Around The Sun”, revealing Afternoon In The Park’s ability to weave atmosphere, vulnerability, and groove into one cohesive whole. The track opens with a haze of melodic tension guitar textures and beat that feel suspended in air, gently pulling the listener into a contemplative mood. As the layers build, a sense of emotional depth begins to unfold, and the song moves with a kind of thoughtful momentum that feels both weighty and strangely light, like walking through memories set to a beat.
The vocals are at their most vulnerable here, gently delivered yet full of unspoken intensity. There’s a soulful honesty in the tone as the singer explores themes of trust, respect, and the dynamics of human relationships, particularly between men and women. His voice never overpowers the instrumentation, instead, it melts into it, forming a warm, cohesive current with the rest of the band. Julien’s drumming pulses with understated energy, while Ari’s guitar riffs offer moments of brightness and lift, giving the track a danceable, almost hypnotic quality without losing its emotional center.
What makes “Masterplan” truly resonate is its duality: it’s introspective yet rebellious, emotionally stirring yet rhythmically alive. The sense of freedom embedded in the track’s mood speaks to the band’s broader artistic vision, using music not just to entertain, but to connect, question, and express. It’s a song that doesn’t rush to conclusions but instead sits with uncertainty, complexity, and emotional truth. In doing so, “Masterplan” becomes one of the most cathartic and enduring tracks on the album, balancing groove with gravity in a way that feels both deeply personal and universally felt.
Each track carries a melodic hook, a rhythmic drive, and lyrical imagery that evoke fleeting memories, introspective walks, and moments of realization. The guitar work from Yamin and Ari is both sharp and shimmering, often weaving into Julien’s dynamic, hard-hitting drum patterns. Thomas’s basslines provide a solid yet fluid foundation, grounding the songs with groove and gravity. Producer Gordon Raphael lends the album a sonic clarity that elevates its rawness rather than smoothing it out. His touch is evident in the way the album balances complexity and simplicity, layering textures without drowning the essence of the songs. The result is a sound that is at once retro-tinged and unmistakably current.
In the crowded indie rock scene, Afternoon In The Park stands apart. Not because they reinvent the wheel, but because they remember what it feels like to simply ride it, to move with time, to feel the wind, to live around the sun. With this debut, they offer more than just music. They offer a lens through which to pause, feel, and see the everyday in a new light. Go listen to “Livin’ Around The Sun” now. It’s not just an album, it’s a moment worth orbiting.
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