Lonely Diamond
Studio album by
Ocean Alley
Released19 June 2020 (2020-06-19)
Recorded2019–2020[1][2]
StudioThe Grove Studios (Sydney)[3]
Length45:36
Label
Ocean Alley chronology
Chiaroscuro
(2018)		 Lonely Diamond
(2020)
Singles from Lonely Diamond
  1. "Stained Glass"
    Released: 21 February 2019[2]
  2. "Infinity"
    Released: 6 June 2019[4]
  3. "Tombstone"
    Released: 11 December 2019[5]
  4. "Hot Chicken"
    Released: 27 April 2020[6]
  5. "Way Down"
    Released: 19 June 2020[7]

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

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Rolling Stone Australia[15]

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

Lonely Diamond track listing
No.TitleLength
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 performance for Lonely Diamond
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[18] 3
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[19] 6

Year-end charts

Chart (2020) Position
Australian Artist Albums (ARIA)[20] 35
Chart (2021) Position
Australian Artist Albums (ARIA)[21] 47

References

  1. 1 2 Newstead, Al (30 January 2020). "Hottest 100 winners Ocean Alley ready to record new music". ABC. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 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.
  3. 1 2 Martin, Josh (24 February 2020). "Ocean Alley add two new dates to 2020 headline Australian tour". NME. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  4. 1 2 Newstead, Al (6 June 2019). "First Spin: Ocean Alley soar on their new song 'Infinity'". ABC. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  5. 1 2 Newstead, Al (11 December 2019). "First Spin: Ocean Alley lament a paradise lost on new single 'Tombstone'". ABC. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Newstead, Al (28 April 2020). "Ocean Alley share 'Hot Chicken', announce new album Lonely Diamond". ABC. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  7. 1 2 "Sydney psych rock band Ocean Alley have dropped their new single 'Way Down'". 19 June 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2020 – via Facebook.
  8. ↑ Jenke, Tyler (28 April 2020). "Ocean Alley announce new album, 'Lonely Diamond'". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  9. ↑ "Ocean Alley – Lonely Diamond – Feature Albums". ABC. 14 June 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Byrne, Declan (17 June 2020). "Ocean Alley deliver a Lonely Diamond in the 2020 rough". ABC. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  11. ↑ "1-100 – Hottest 100, 2019". ABC. 25 January 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  12. ↑ "Hottest 100 By The Numbers: It's all about statistics, baby". ABC. 27 January 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  13. 1 2 Wilson, Zanda (26 April 2020). "Looks like Ocean Alley could be teasing a new album". Music Feeds. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  14. 1 2 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.
  15. 1 2 3 4 Jenke, Tyler (19 June 2020). "Ocean Alley have found their bliss with 'Lonely Diamond'". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  16. 1 2 Newstead, Al (19 February 2020). "Updated: Ocean Alley reschedule big ol' 2020 Australian tour". ABC. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  17. 1 2 3 Ramli, Sofiana (19 March 2020). "Ocean Alley postpone upcoming headline Australia tour to 2021". NME. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  18. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Ocean Alley – Lonely Diamond". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  19. ↑ "Charts.nz – Ocean Alley – Lonely Diamond". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  20. ↑ "Australian Artist (ARIA) End of Year Albums Chart 2020". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  21. ↑ "ARIA Artists Top 50 Albums for 2021". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
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