Chiaroscuro (Ocean Alley album)

Chiaroscuro is the second studio album by the Australian rock band Ocean Alley, released on 9 March 2018.[6] The album entered the Australian ARIA Albums Chart at number 15 following its release. It was supported by a national tour.[7]

Chiaroscuro
Studio album by
Released9 March 2018
StudioThe Grove Studios
GenreReggae rock[citation needed]
Length48:49
LabelUnified, Sony Music Australia
Ocean Alley chronology
Lost Tropics
(2016)
Chiaroscuro
(2018)
Lonely Diamond
(2020)
Singles from Chiaroscuro
  1. "Overgrown"
    Released: 2 March 2017[1]
  2. "The Comedown"
    Released: 11 August 2017[2]
  3. "Confidence"
    Released: 6 February 2018[3]
  4. "Bones"
    Released: 6 March 2018[4]
  5. "Knees"
    Released: 25 May 2018[5]
  6. "Happy Sad"
    Released: 21 August 2018[citation needed]

At the J Awards of 2018, the album was nominated for Australian Album of the Year.[8]

In December 2018, the album was voted at No. 2 on Triple J's Top 10 Albums of 2018.[9]

In 2018, "The Comedown", was voted into Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2017 at #48,[10] and, in 2019, "Confidence", "Knees" and "Happy Sad" were voted into Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2018 at numbers 1, 10 and 100, respectively.[11] "Bones" was also voted into the Hottest 200 of 2018 at #166.[12]

Reception edit

Riley Fitzgerald from Music Feeds wrote, "Chiaroscuro is a big, spacious record. 12 tracks arrive crammed full of hooks and loaded with riffs. A radio-friendly rock sound with funk and reggae undercurrents."[13] An ABC staff writer called the album "a sun drenched, genre bending delight".[14] Emma Salisbury from The Music magazine wrote, "As the album's title suggests, this work explores both light and shade. In a confident step forward, Ocean Alley have crafted a seamless blend of the two within their constantly evolving melting pot of psychedelic and surf rock."[15] A staff writer from The Newcastle Herald called the album "a stunning collection of ebbing and flowing tracks; full of slinky bass riffs, epic harmonies and soaring guitar solos".[16]

Track listing edit

No.TitleLength
1."Corduroy"3:14
2."The Comedown"4:44
3."Happy Sad"5:30
4."Confidence"4:13
5."Knees"4:45
6."Rage"4:13
7."She's Always Right"4:04
8."Frostbite"3:24
9."Overgrown"3:54
10."Bones"3:19
11."Flowers and Booze"4:03
12."Man You Were Looking For"3:26
Total length:48:49

Charts edit

Weekly charts edit

Chart (2018–2019) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[17] 11
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[18] 38

Year-end charts edit

Chart (2018) Position
Australian Artist Albums (ARIA)[19] 25
Chart (2019) Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[20] 78

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[21] Gold 35,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history edit

Region Date Format Label Catalogue Ref.
Australia 9 March 2018 Unified / Sony Music Australia OA001 [6][22]

References edit

  1. ^ "Overgrown – Single by Ocean Alley". Apple Music AU. 2 March 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  2. ^ "The Comedown – Single by Ocean Alley". Apple Music AU. 11 August 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  3. ^ "Confidence – Single by Ocean Alley". Apple Music AU. 6 February 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  4. ^ Newstead, Al (6 March 2018). "First Spin: Ocean Alley preview new album with 'Bones'". ABC. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  5. ^ "Ocean Alley". Unified Music Group. 25 May 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  6. ^ a b "Chiaroscuro by Ocean Alley". Apple Music AU. 6 February 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  7. ^ "Ocean Alley new album 'Chiaroscuro' out today!". Amnplify. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  8. ^ "The J Award 2018". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  9. ^ "Vote in triple j's 2018 Album Poll". Triple J. ABC. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Hottest 100, 2017 – Triple J". ABC. 27 January 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  11. ^ "Hottest 100, 2018 – Triple J". ABC. 27 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  12. ^ "101–200 – Hottest 100, 2018 – Triple J". ABC. 28 January 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  13. ^ Riley Fitzgerald (12 March 2018). "AOcean Alley 'Chiaroscuro'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  14. ^ "Ocean Alley - Chiaroscuro". ABC. 18 March 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  15. ^ "Ocean Alley / Chiaroscuro". The Music. March 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  16. ^ "Ocean Alley have become more confident with the making of Chiaroscuro". The Newcastle Herald. 17 March 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  17. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Ocean Alley – Chiaroscuro". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
  18. ^ "Charts.nz – Ocean Alley – Chiaroscuro". Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  19. ^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 50 Australian Artist Albums 2018". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  20. ^ "ARIA End of Year Albums Chart 2019". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  21. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2020 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  22. ^ "Chiaroscuro by Ocean Alley (CD)". JB Hi-Fi. Retrieved 19 January 2019.