Ocean Alley – Page 2 – Sounds of Oz

I hear an awful lot of music in my line of work, so when something different hits my inbox my ears prick up. That’s why I’m really responding to Ocean Alley and their sophomore EP In Purple.

They first caught my attention with the recent single “Muddy Water,” the final track of the EP. This strong track makes the ideal closer to this six-track collection, but there’s plenty to delight before it hits.

“Muddy Water” had a surf rock sound which only hinted at reggae and psychedelic sounds. They’re much more prominent on the other tracks, and I don’t just mean because one’s called “Space Goat” (despite seemingly having little to do with livestock). The songs are full of sexy grooves and infectious hooks. I appreciate party songs like “Twisted” and “Those Daze” most, but couldn’t help appreciating the daring of the epic “Sleepwalking.”

In Purple is a little rough around the edges, but I think its rawness is endearing. It adds a sense of authenticity that’s missing in many more polished recordings. Ocean Alley are currently touring the EP around the country. You can catch them at the following venues.

17 September 2015 – The Brightside, Brisbane
19 September 2015 – Great Northern, Byron Bay (FREE)
20 September 2015 – Sounds of Sunday, Gold Coast (FREE)
25 September 2015 – Uni Bar, Wollongong
2 October 2015 – The Evelyn, Melbourne
15 October 2015 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney

Based on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, it’s only right that Ocean Alley should be influenced by the surf rock music of the past. Throw in some reggae and psychedelic sounds and you might have some indication of what their new single “Muddy Water” is all about.

However, those genres don’t quite manage to capture the whole story. I can hear all those influences shining through, but the song has a darkness that I don’t often associate with surf rock or reggae. It’s really intriguing, and I can’t wait to hear more.

“Muddy Water” comes from Ocean Alley’s forthcoming second EP In Purple. You can hear songs from it when the band kicks off their EP tour this Friday in front of a hometown crowd. It’ll make stops in the East Coast capitals and key regional destinations before arriving back in Sydney in October.

28 August 2015 – Rare Finds #5 @ Oxford Art Factory Gallery, Sydney (FREE)
6 September 2015 – Bald Faced Stag, Sydney (ALL AGES)
11 September 2015 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
17 September 2015 – The Brightside, Brisbane
19 September 2015 – Great Northern, Byron Bay (FREE)
20 September 2015 – Sounds of Sunday, Gold Coast (FREE)
25 September 2015 – Uni Bar, Wollongong
2 October 2015 – The Evelyn, Melbourne
15 October 2015 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney

Tag: Ocean Alley

“In Purple” – Ocean Alley

Ocean Alley Impress with “Muddy Water”