Lonely Diamond

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]

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]

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. Newstead, Al (30 January 2020). "Hottest 100 winners Ocean Alley ready to record new music". ABC. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  2. 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. Martin, Josh (24 February 2020). "Ocean Alley add two new dates to 2020 headline Australian tour". NME. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  4. Newstead, Al (6 June 2019). "First Spin: Ocean Alley soar on their new song 'Infinity'". ABC. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  5. Newstead, Al (11 December 2019). "First Spin: Ocean Alley lament a paradise lost on new single 'Tombstone'". ABC. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  6. Newstead, Al (28 April 2020). "Ocean Alley share 'Hot Chicken', announce new album Lonely Diamond". ABC. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  7. "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. 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. Wilson, Zanda (26 April 2020). "Looks like Ocean Alley could be teasing a new album". Music Feeds. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  14. 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. Jenke, Tyler (19 June 2020). "Ocean Alley have found their bliss with 'Lonely Diamond'". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  16. Newstead, Al (19 February 2020). "Updated: Ocean Alley reschedule big ol' 2020 Australian tour". ABC. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  17. 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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