Alternative Rock Pop from Afternoon In The Park

French singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Yamin Alma has been on an international musical voyage for most of his life. From early classical training in Perpignan to soaking in the creative energy of Gothenburg, London and now Paris, his artistic path has never followed a straight line. That journey has taken shape in Afternoon In The Park, the project he launched in the summer of 2022, an outfit that blends indie rock swagger, Britpop nostalgia and a distinctly French sonic flair into something utterly of the moment.

Having already racked up an impressive list of collaborations and performances from UK tours with TwoSixOnes to working alongside the likes of Mo Pleasure and performing with Sofar Sounds in the USA, Yamin’s artistic credentials are more than solid. But Afternoon In The Park marks a new chapter, one that feels more personal, more expansive and more thoroughly his own. It’s a project born from a reflective time post-pandemic, drawing its name and spirit from quiet, creative afternoons spent in London’s Hyde Park.

Produced by Gordon Raphael, whose fingerprints are famously found on records by The Strokes and Regina Spektor, Afternoon In The Park carries that same blend of driving edge and melodic panache. The sound is tight and shaped by analogue recordings at Le Stéréodrome in the south of France. With bilingual lyrics, vibrant guitar lines and an open-hearted approach to songwriting, the project pays homage to its inspirations of Arctic Monkeys, Phoenix and early 2000s New York rock, but stands confidently in its own lane.

Following the release of debut single “I Wonder” in 2023 and the On/Off EP earlier this year, the band’s creative momentum has been building towards their full-length debut, Livin’ Around The Sun, a 12-track album that maps out a loosely conceptual journey, each song reflecting a day in the life of a character orbiting the chaos and calm of modern existence. Among the highlights is the single “Masterplan,” a superb outing that first appeared on the On/Off EP and now features on the album.

With its danceable rhythm, crisp guitars and infectious energy, it distils the project’s musical output; catchy, emotionally compelling and wide open to interpretation. Thematically, “Masterplan” explores the foundations of trust and respect in relationships, building its message not through grand declarations but through groove, nuance and a quietly powerful delivery. From the buzz of feedback, the track jumps into a grooving rock scene as steady drums and lightly crunching guitar riffs usher in Yamin’s slick vocal performance as he casts gripping melodic hooks above.

Building to a lively chorus of splashy drums, energising guitar backing and catchy vocal lines, the track delivers an epic showcase of Afternoon In The Park’s engrossing pop-tinged rock sound. Brimming with invigorating instrumentation, stellar vocal work and engaging songwriting, it’s a spectacular display of the project’s incredible sound as they continue to go from strength to strength with each move.

Listen to Masterplan below

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