B-Side Guys

Australian transplant Paul Allen returns with “In The Afternoon,” a track that wears its influences proudly while carving out its own space in the indie rock landscape. Now based in Singapore, Allen crafts a sound that bridges continents and decades, creating music that feels both familiar and refreshingly current.

The “jangly guitars” deliver immediately, establishing a sonic signature that recalls The Strokes’ room-mic immediacy while incorporating the melodic sensibilities of British acts like The Vaccines and Oasis. What sets Allen apart is how he incorporates these elements without becoming derivative—the production maintains a raw edge that prevents nostalgia from sliding into mere imitation.

Allen’s formative exposure to 50s and 60s rock and roll emerges in the song’s structural DNA, particularly in its focus on immediacy and melodic hooks. Rather than simply recreating retro sounds, he filters these foundational influences through the garage rock revival that defined indie music in the early 2000s. This layered approach to influence creates a track that resonates across generational listening preferences.

The chorus delivers on the “catchy” promise, offering the kind of earworm quality that makes Allen’s self-professed love of hooks evident. This is music that understands the timeless appeal of rock fundamentals—memorable melodies, rhythmic drive, and guitars that aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. For a songwriter who claims to “live in the past” musically, Allen has created something that feels remarkably present, proving that looking backward can sometimes be the best way to move forward.