With their new album Blood Cocktail, Parisian indie-rock outfit Afternoon In The Park has served up a high-voltage sonic experience — one that fuses garage rock urgency, noir romanticism, and a distinct visual flair. Produced by none other than Gordon Raphael (legendary producer of The Strokes and The Libertines), this record doesn’t just echo the golden era of early 2000s rock — it sharpens it with teeth and drips it in cinematic style.
The album’s title track, Blood Cocktail, sets the tone in just 2 minutes and 40 seconds. It’s a blistering, fuzz-drenched rush that feels both raw and crafted — like a film scene that’s been played on repeat until it burns into your memory. The song tells the story of a twisted romance between a human and a vampire, framed not in cliché but in distortion, reverb, and blood-red sincerity. It’s short, punchy, and filled with explosive hooks. The combination of fast-paced drums, saturated guitars, and a chorus that seems designed to ignite a live audience makes it a standout opener and an instant classic for fans of gritty romantic rock.
But beyond the theatrics, Blood Cocktail is no novelty. It taps into something emotional and dramatic — a chaotic chemistry between danger and desire, told through roaring amplifiers and poetic lyrics. It’s the kind of song that doesn’t just play — it drags you into its world.
The rest of the album, Livin’ Around The Sun, continues the ride through back-alley dreams and neon-lit heartbreaks. Recorded at Le Stéréodrome, an analog studio near Perpignan, the band stuck to a production approach that’s increasingly rare in the digital age: live takes, real instruments, analog tape, vintage mics — and absolutely no cheating. You hear the imperfections, the warmth, the hiss — and it all adds to the mood. This isn’t a polished pop product; it’s a handcrafted album, built from sweat and sincerity.
The band — Yamin Alma (vocals, guitar), Ari (guitar), Julien (drums, programming), and Thomas (bass) — clearly know their musical roots. You can hear the echoes of The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, Oasis, Phoenix, and even shades of The Hives in their playing. But what makes Afternoon In The Park stand out is their ability to blend that vintage rock aesthetic with modern storytelling and emotional depth.
Beyond the fiery title track, several songs deserve special mention. Masterplan delivers punchy riffs and a danceable rhythm while exploring themes of trust and mutual respect in relationships. Destination takes a more urgent, introspective route, focusing on climate crisis and personal responsibility — a welcome depth not often found in indie rock. Then there’s I Wonder, a dreamy yet hard-hitting track about escapism, ambition, and the need to break free from the mundane.
What ties all these songs together is the band’s lyrical approach: poetic without being cryptic, emotional without being sentimental. It’s the kind of songwriting that feels universal — whether you’re 17 or 37, there’s something here that hits home.
One thing that shouldn’t be overlooked is the band’s strong visual identity. Inspired by 1960s cinema, risograph art, and analog craft, their aesthetic perfectly complements their music. Blood Cocktail isn’t just an album — it’s a world you’re invited into. A midnight stroll through a strange city. A romance lit by flickering neon signs. A drink shared at the edge of danger. Every note, every visual, every lyric seems to serve this vision.
Having opened for Nada Surf and played stages like Festival Les Déferlantes, Afternoon In The Park are proving themselves as a must-see live act. And listening to Blood Cocktail, it’s easy to see why. These are songs made to be played loud, in sweaty rooms, where the crowd knows the words and the amps shake the floor.
Blood Cocktail is one of those rare indie-rock albums that manages to feel both classic and completely new. It wears its influences on its sleeve — The Strokes, Oasis, The Kooks — but it doesn’t copy. Instead, Afternoon In The Park reinterpret that spirit through a romantic, cinematic, deeply human lens.
It’s short, sharp, stylish, and emotionally charged — a bold statement from a band that knows exactly who they are and where they’re going.
In a world of algorithms and disposable tracks, Blood Cocktail feels like a real drink — bitter, sweet, and strong enough to leave a mark.
Follow AFTERNOON IN THE PARK on