| Lonely Diamond | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 19 June 2020 (2020-06-19) | |||
| Recorded | 2019–2020[1][2] | |||
| Studio | The Grove Studios (Sydney)[3] | |||
| Length | 45:36 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Ocean Alley chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Lonely Diamond | ||||
Lonely Diamond is the third studio album by Australian bandOcean Alley. It was released on 19 June 2020 underUnified andSony Music Australia.[8] The album was announced in April 2020, alongside the release of the album's fourth single, "Hot Chicken".[6]
The album wasTriple J's "Feature Album" in the week leading up to its release.[9][10]
Two singles from the album, "Infinity" and "Stained Glass", featured inTriple J'sHottest 100 of 2019, at number 24 and number 54, respectively.[11]
Following theirsuccess 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]
On 22 April 2020, Ocean Alley beganposting shortvideo clips onInstagram ofroast chicken heating in amicrowave and of a rotatingdrumstick, 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 atimer, which counted down to 12:00 pmAEST on 27 April.[14] When the website's timer ended, text announcing the premiere of "Hot Chicken" later that night onTriple J and the album artwork were shown.[14]
The band additionally set up a Facebookevent 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]
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 onTriple J prior to their official release. A fifth single, "Way Down", was released alongside the album on 19 June.[7]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Rolling Stone Australia |   [15] |
In a positive review of the album, Tyler Jenke ofRolling 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 ofTriple J said of the album: "You can hear Ocean Alley pushing themselves beyond thecoastal, warbledreggae 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]
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 theCOVID-19 pandemic.[17]
In a statement regarding the postponing of the tour, the band said:
"[The] reschedule is due to theCOVID-19 situation that has developedat home andaboard [sic], and is in line with therestrictions andrecommendations put in place by theAustralian Government with a view to keeping people safe."[16]
The tour re-commenced in February 2021.,[17] featuringPsychedelic Porn Crumpets and Dulcie as support acts, and wrapped up in March 2021.[17]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Chart (2020) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[18] | 3 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[19] | 6 |
| Chart (2020) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australian Artist Albums (ARIA)[20] | 35 |
| Chart (2021) | Position |
| Australian Artist Albums (ARIA)[21] | 47 |
