ALBUM REVIEW – OCEAN ALLEY – ”LOVE BALLOON“
- HARRY K
- 6 days ago
- 1 min read
WORDS HARRY K
Ocean Ally - Love Balloon
Release Date: 19th September 2025
Ocean Alley have built their reputation on woozy surf-rock and sun-drenched grooves, but Love Balloon proves they’re not just coasting. Their fifth album is tighter, braver, and more emotionally dialled-in than anything they’ve done before.
The sound is instantly familiar: shimmering guitars, buttery basslines, and a looseness that feels like the band are still jamming on a beach somewhere. But there’s new depth too. The title track soars with disco flair, Tangerine drifts with optimism, and Left of the Dealer taps into classic rock swagger. Each song glows with warmth while sneaking in unexpected twists.
Lyrically, it’s all about love — not the neat, Hollywood kind, but the messy, layered version: joy, heartbreak, nostalgia, and the sting of letting go. The closing track, Drenched, lingers with bittersweet weight, showing the band aren’t afraid of shadows.
At its best, Love Balloon is euphoric — a record that begs to be played loud with the windows down. Occasionally, it slips back into safe territory, but those moments are fleeting.
Ocean Alley aren’t reinventing themselves here; they’re refining their craft. Love Balloon is slick, soulful, and brimming with heart — proof the band can evolve without losing the magic that made them.
Rating: ★★★★☆ 4 Stars
TRACK LISTING
First Blush
Tangerine
Ain't No Use
Sweet Boy
Love Balloon
Thru Everything
Left Of The Dealer
Down The Line
Life In Love
Drenched
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