The Ocean Party, one of the finest formations of Melbourne’s most prolific amorphous music collective, are putting out a new album and are already teasing us with a new single and video.
Split is out September 27 th . The record’s title refers to a change in approach for The Ocean Party, with the various different members contributing and singing their own songs. That’s not a bad idea when your member’s other projects include Velcro , Mining Boom and Ciggie Witch .
Sure enough, the lyrics of “Split” are delivered in the unmistakable slacker croon of Ciggie Witch frontman and The Ocean Party drummer Zac Denton . It’s not just the songwriting duties that are divided. The lyrics return to what has become Zac’s leitmotif—the split “ between what I want and what I have to do ”. It’s a simple topic but he’s honed it to fine point. The direct language and offhand delivery are deceptively affective—there are some pangs of recognition when he describes going to a full-time job he hates while all his housemates are hanging out without him.
Under this story of young adult dilemma is instantly the best song made under the name The Ocean Party , and The Ocean Party have made some great songs. The guitars are as sweetly catchy as ever, the keys adding harmony and melodic counterpoint, and when that delayed chorus finally hits, it’s hard not to close your eyes and be swept away in the bliss.
While Split was recorded at the home of band members and brothers Zac and Lachlan’s grandparents in New South Wales, the video is very inner city. In a progression of still frames, we see the band in a darkened practice room, then emerging into a sunny winter’s day to shoot some hoops. There’s plenty of goofing around and obvious camaraderie. Melbourne’s part-grungy, part-yuppie northern suburbs can be a playground if you’re young, broke and don’t have much else to do (trust me), and these guys come across as the perfect companions for a whole day spent doing nothing.
That said, the clip is weirdly solipsistic—despite the public setting, you never really see anyone in the frame who isn’t a member of the band. It’s oddly appropriate. You get the sense that The Ocean Party and their associated projects are something like a gang or an exclusive club. And when you can sit in your share house all day churning out perfect pop songs, who needs anyone else anyway?
THE OCEAN PARTY – Social Clubs
‘ Social Clubs ‘ is the Ocean Party’s 2nd album mixed by Jack Farley and Mastered by Casey Rice and released 4 October 2012.
Purchase on CD and Digital | Purchase as 12″ Vinyl
WORDS BY Matt Nielson
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