Lonely Diamond
Lonely Diamond | ||||
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Studio album by Ocean Alley | ||||
Released | 19 June 2020 (2020-06-19) | |||
Recorded | 2019–2020[1][2] | |||
Studio | The Grove Studios (Sydney)[3] | |||
Length | 45:36 | |||
Label |
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Ocean Alley chronology | ||||
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Singles from Lonely Diamond | ||||
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Lonely Diamond is the third studio album by Australian band Ocean Alley. It was released on 19 June 2020 under Unified and Sony Music Australia.[8] The album was announced in April 2020, alongside the release of the album's fourth single, "Hot Chicken".[6]
The album was Triple J's "Feature Album" in the week leading up to its release.[9][10]
Two singles from the album, "Infinity" and "Stained Glass", featured in Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2019, at number 24 and number 54, respectively.[11]
Background
Following their success in the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2018, in which their song "Confidence" topped the poll and they had four overall songs in the countdown,[12] the band returned to the studio to begin recording their third studio album.[1] The album was announced in April 2020, alongside the release of the album's fourth single, "Hot Chicken".[6]
Release and promotion
On 22 April 2020, Ocean Alley began posting short video clips on Instagram of roast chicken heating in a microwave and of a rotating drumstick, teasing the release of "Hot Chicken", the fourth single from the album.[13] The posts included links to the band's official website, which displayed the album's artwork, a sign-up link to pre-save the single, and a timer, which counted down to 12:00pm AEST on 27 April.[14] When the website's timer ended, text announcing the premiere of "Hot Chicken" later that night on Triple J and the album artwork were shown.[14]
The band additionally set up a Facebook event simply titled "Hot Chicken"; the event began at the same time and date as when the timer on their website ended.[13]
In the week leading up to the album's release, it was the "Feature Album" on Triple J.[10]
Singles
The album was preceded by four singles: "Stained Glass", released on 21 February 2019,[2] "Infinity", released on 6 June 2019,[4] "Tombstone", released on 11 December 2019,[5] and "Hot Chicken", released on 27 April 2020.[6] All four singles were premiered on Triple J prior to their official release. A fifth single, "Way Down", was released alongside the album on 19 June.[7]
Reception
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Rolling Stone Australia | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
In a positive review of the album, Tyler Jenke of Rolling Stone Australia said: "Ocean Alley have not only managed to exceed expectations with their latest record, but they've managed to set a new standard for what their music can be."[15] He continued: "...the blissful inclusion of songs such as the album's title track serve as a masterclass of restraint, with the group experimenting with a mixture of old and new styles, all while ensuring the tune doesn't overstay its welcome."[15] He also named "All Worn Out" as an album highlight, describing it as "serving as something of a fierce ballad".[15]
Declan Byrne of Triple J said of the album: "You can hear Ocean Alley pushing themselves beyond the coastal, warbled reggae rock of earlier releases and ramping up the '70s influences."[10] Byrne described the tracks 'Up In There' and 'Wet Dreams' as "amospheric slow jams".[10] Byrne also described the track "Way Down" as a "standout", saying "[it] shows off their signature style but with the underwater feel replaced by warmer sounds, the colour scheme shifted from blues to yellows".[10]
Tour
In February, Ocean Alley announced a tour in support of the album.[16] The tour was originally scheduled to begin in May 2020,[3] but was postponed in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17]
In a statement regarding the postponing of the tour, the band said:
"[The] reschedule is due to the COVID-19 situation that has developed at home and aboard [sic], and is in line with the restrictions and recommendations put in place by the Australian Government with a view to keeping people safe."[16]
The tour is now scheduled to commence in February 2021.[17] The tour will feature Psychedelic Porn Crumpets and Dulcie as support acts, and is expected to finish in March 2021.[17]
Track listing
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Dahlia" | 1:57 |
2. | "Tombstone" | 4:00 |
3. | "Way Down" | 3:20 |
4. | "Infinity" | 3:53 |
5. | "Up in There" | 4:22 |
6. | "All Worn Out" | 3:56 |
7. | "Stained Glass" | 3:47 |
8. | "Lonely Diamond" | 4:50 |
9. | "Wet Dreams" | 4:16 |
10. | "Hot Chicken" | 3:16 |
11. | "Puesta de Sol" | 4:24 |
12. | "Luna" | 3:35 |
Total length: | 45:36 |
Charts
Weekly charts
Chart (2020) | Peak position |
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Australian Albums (ARIA)[18] | 3 |
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[19] | 6 |
Year-end charts
Chart (2020) | Position |
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Australian Artist Albums (ARIA)[20] | 35 |
Chart (2021) | Position |
Australian Artist Albums (ARIA)[21] | 47 |
References
- ^ a b Newstead, Al (30 January 2020). "Hottest 100 winners Ocean Alley ready to record new music". ABC. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ a b c Newstead, Al (21 February 2019). "First Spin: Ocean Alley's new song 'Stained Glass' showered the triple j app with shakas". ABC. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ a b Martin, Josh (24 February 2020). "Ocean Alley add two new dates to 2020 headline Australian tour". NME. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ a b Newstead, Al (6 June 2019). "First Spin: Ocean Alley soar on their new song 'Infinity'". ABC. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ a b Newstead, Al (11 December 2019). "First Spin: Ocean Alley lament a paradise lost on new single 'Tombstone'". ABC. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ a b c d Newstead, Al (28 April 2020). "Ocean Alley share 'Hot Chicken', announce new album Lonely Diamond". ABC. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ a b "Sydney psych rock band Ocean Alley have dropped their new single 'Way Down'". 19 June 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2020 – via Facebook.
- ^ Jenke, Tyler (28 April 2020). "Ocean Alley announce new album, 'Lonely Diamond'". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ "Ocean Alley – Lonely Diamond – Feature Albums". ABC. 14 June 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Byrne, Declan (17 June 2020). "Ocean Alley deliver a Lonely Diamond in the 2020 rough". ABC. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ "1-100 – Hottest 100, 2019". ABC. 25 January 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ "Hottest 100 By The Numbers: It's all about statistics, baby". ABC. 27 January 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ a b Wilson, Zanda (26 April 2020). "Looks like Ocean Alley could be teasing a new album". Music Feeds. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- ^ a b Jenke, Brittany (27 April 2020). "Ocean Alley seems to be teasing a new album, new single 'Hot Chicken' on the way". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- ^ a b c d Jenke, Tyler (19 June 2020). "Ocean Alley have found their bliss with 'Lonely Diamond'". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ a b Newstead, Al (19 February 2020). "Updated: Ocean Alley reschedule big ol' 2020 Australian tour". ABC. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ a b c Ramli, Sofiana (19 March 2020). "Ocean Alley postpone upcoming headline Australia tour to 2021". NME. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Ocean Alley – Lonely Diamond". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Ocean Alley – Lonely Diamond". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- ^ "Australian Artist (ARIA) End of Year Albums Chart 2020". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Artists Top 50 Albums for 2021". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- v
- t
- e
- Baden Donegal
- Angus Goodwin
- Nic Blom
- Lach Galbraith
- Mitch Galbraith
- Tom O'Brien
- Lost Tropics
- Chiaroscuro
- Lonely Diamond
- "Confidence"