Debut album from Afternoon In The Park

Born out of a life lived across continents and musical traditions, Afternoon In The Park is the kaleidoscopic project of French singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Yamin Alma. From his classical beginnings in Perpignan to creative stretches in Gothenburg, London and now Paris, his new project arrived in the summer of 2022, not just as a new musical chapter, but as a personal renaissance shaped in part by reflective afternoons spent soaking up the calm and chaos of Hyde Park.

With Afternoon In The Park, he offers something both deeply nostalgic and forward-thinking, fusing indie rock energy with Britpop melodies and a charming French influence. Drawing inspiration from the likes of The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys and Phoenix, the band’s sound is immediately catchy and based in genuine emotional detail. Working with famed producer Gordon Raphael, best known for his work with The Strokes and Regina Spektor, at Le Stéréodrome in southern France, Yamin and his collaborators have crafted a sound that’s both crisp and energising.

After debuting with the single “I Wonder” in 2023 and following it with the On/Off EP earlier this year, Afternoon In The Park has now reached at a pivotal moment with the release of their first full-length album titled Livin’ Around The Sun. Spanning 12 tracks, the record loosely follows several days in the life of a character dealing with love, anxiety, joy and existential drift, a sort of everyday odyssey told in melodies and refrains.

The album kicks off with “I Wonder,” a rock-driven anthem of dreams and escape, setting up an album that’s equally thoughtful and expansive. Bright guitar rhythms and marching drums are met by Yamin’s expressive voice as he spins instantly memorable leads as the track bursts into a shimmering indie rock chorus to deliver an invigorating surge of sonic energy.

“Destination” leans into a moodier sound of crunching guitar textures and lively drums capped by commanding vocal performance, framing Afternoon In The Park’s addictive songwriting in a driving, alternative outing. “Everything You Feel I Feel” offers a sweeping emotional moment, tapping into themes of empathy and collective experience wrapped up in a stunning synth-tinged rock outing that’s moving and exhilarating in equal measure.

Tracks like “She’s Lovin’ Me” bring a poppier touch, blending grungy verses with a hook that sticks, while “Blood Cocktail” jumps into eccentric storytelling, recounting a love story between a human and a vampire, driven by frantic drums and saturated riffs. One of the standout cuts, “Softly Damaged,” channels buoyant pop rock energy, musing on the process of ageing and healing with a vibrant edge, offering a breezy jam of jangly guitar tones and alluring vocals.

“Take Me Back” serves up a raucous rock ride with brooding verses that erupt into charging choruses full of fuzzy guitar riffs and impassioned vocal delivery. Closing the record with “Now Or Never” Afternoon In The Park lays down one final outing of grunge-tinged pop rock with a gripping track that offer the perfect final moment on the band’s incredible first full-length album.

Ultimately, Livin’ Around The Sun takes a vivid snapshot of a moment in time, filtered through Yamin Alma’s diverse of influences and life experiences. It feels like walking through a sunlit city with headphones on, where every street corner holds a memory and every chorus carries a hint of hope. With this album, Afternoon In The Park steps confidently into the conversation an essential new voice in the alternative indie sphere.

Listen to Livin’ Around The Sun below