Australia’s surf rock band Ocean Alley is back in action with the lead single “Hot Chicken” now available on all digital outlets off their forthcoming Lonely Diamond LP. The third full-length follows the band’s 2018 Chiaroscuro album — one that took them straight to the top! Gaining a following playing small gigs around Sydney’s Northern Beaches over a decade ago, Ocean Alley has since earned respect and admiration around the world, leading to sell-out headlining tours and slots at major festivals like Reading & Leeds, Splendour In The Grass and Bottlerock. Back in the studio with longtime collaborator Callum Howell, the Ocean Alley boys are ready to unleash the third installment of their psychedelic saga this upcoming June 19th.
Racking up a few denominations, Ocean Alley has been described in the past as falling under the more ‘reggae’, ‘world’, ‘chill’ variety. Not anymore. Pivoting in their last album, Ocean Alley has evolved to encompass a variety of genres — almost creating one of their own! Lonely Diamond proffers 70s rock, 70s funk, 80s New Wave, 60s acid rock, spaghetti western motifs alongside modern alternative. Its fabric is history and its thread, societal pressure. Things are escalating in the world right now, but even without the added global quarantine, it’s hard to be a modern man. Ocean Alley recognizes the rat race, producing 12 new tracks centered around escapism versus exploration. When do the two differ? When do they collide? When does fun stop being fun?
The answer — lead single “Hot Chicken”.
Posited toward the end of the album, “Hot Chicken” describes inner turmoil to a ‘T’. The track opens with a retro feel, almost like being played on vinyl with muffled vocals, drawing the listener in immediately with a wailing guitar of the classic rock era. “I’m just a prisoner to the golden stake,” lead singer Baden Donegal repeats, changing it to “the golden snake” halfway through. Tension, anxiety — “like a hit of cocaine” — creep up unexpected, unsolicited. Everyone can relate to dancing with the devil. As the track’s lyrics struggle with identity and autonomy over addiction, echos and synths are added to the heavy guitar and steady bass. This is truly a well-rounded single for the airwaves! The standoff of morality versus depravity continues all the way to the end, as Donegal pleads “save me”. Vices are a cry for help like any other.
Now available everywhere, “Hot Chicken” also has a trippy new video! Watch the visually appealing video below and be on the lookout for Ocean Alley’s full-length Lonely Diamond on June 19th off UNIFIED Music Group. Want to catch them live? We all do. Unfortunately, Ocean Alley has had to push their album release tour plans to February 2021. For more information, visit the links below.
Pre-order or pre-save ‘Lonely Diamond’ album:
Ocean Alley “Hot Chicken” Official Video:
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