Ocean Alley - 'Home'
Australia’s Ocean Alley have released a third single off their upcoming album Low Altitude Living. “Home”, follows previous releases “Touch Back Down” and “Deepest Darkness” with a wave of sonic nostalgia, reflecting on the band’s necessary pause from touring during the pandemic. Through airy and diaphanous instrumentals, it offers the often less popular perspective on a forced sedentary lifestyle, appreciating this period of calm as rare and valuable. Guitarist Mitch Galbraith notes during this time they “felt more connected than ever to the people and places that are around us at home,” providing solace from the “unraveling and untangling” lamented throughout the chorus.
Music video director W.A.M. Bleakley decided to film on the road from Melbourne to Broken Hill to cover as much physical ground as possible for the accompaniment. The retro-styled video opens with a woman running away from a cityscape and chronicles her adventures hitchhiking until waking one morning alone again—mirroring the types of fleeting relationships the band is reflecting on while having been on tour. While Ocean Alley has noted their desire to constantly push each other into new territory with their music, this record opening song still has the quintessential feel of their psychedelic surf rock roots. Frontman Baden Donegal explains the album title itself “doesn’t necessarily represent any one song in particular, or tie them all together. But it does tie our band to the music. I feel like its more of a title that describes why we sound like Ocean Alley.” As a reflection of their home, “Low altitude, being by the beach is where we feel the most at peace.” With the first single “Touch Back Down” following a similar narrative in the sense of finding a silver lining and appreciation for genuine connection, this opening track welcomes the listener to a expect an authentic portrait of what the Ocean Alley experience has been, and the new dimension that has been added lyric wise and instrumentally.
Low Altitude Living is set to be released on October 14th. With already 62 shows performed worldwide in 2022 and more to come, Ocean Alley may not be returning home for another long while.
Words by Frances Cameron
