Photo credit: Kane Lehanneur
Globally renowned rockers Ocean Alley today return with their most vibrant and confident body of work yet, unveiling their fifth studio album Love Balloon, out now independently via Community Music. The release is led by the luminous focus track and video “Drenched”, capturing the six-piece’s gift for transforming vulnerability into something cathartic and universally resonant.
To celebrate the release of Love Balloon, Ocean Alley are hosting a series of exclusive fan pop-ups and launch parties across the East Coast where fans can get their hands on an exclusive signed vinyl variant limited to 500 units. In Melbourne, Soundmerch HQ will be transformed into a Love Balloon pop-up store this entire weekend, followed by a special launch party at Hotel Brunswick in Byron Bay on Saturday 20 September from midday. The celebrations will wrap up in Sydney on Sunday 21 September with a takeover of Bombies at the Harbord Hotel.
Across 10 tracks, Love Balloon takes listeners on a journey through life and love in all its complexity, anchored by moments of light, vulnerability and connection. Written during a time of significant personal milestones for each band member, that undercurrent fed directly into their pursuit of new sounds. With legendary rock producer Nick DiDia (Bruce Springsteen, Rage Against The Machine, Powderfinger) at the helm, the album embraces a stripped-back, organic approach that prioritised spontaneity and openness through the recording process. Woven with influences as diverse as Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Bee Gees, Kokoroko and GUM, it wears its inspirations with reverence while carving out its own distinct Ocean Alley-flair.
Keyboardist and vocalist Lach Galbraith shared, “The album explores the many layered dimensions of love – not just the cinematic kind where you’re falling head over heels, but the full spectrum: joy, hurt, discomfort and disappointment. Let’s call it the river of love – whether it’s with a partner, a friend, or family, you never know when it’ll get deep, go shallow, or suddenly change course. It’s such a force that you have to just surrender to its current.”
From the disarmingly simple four-chord progression that opens “First Blush”, there is an immediate shift from records past – its melodic ease feels instantly familiar, like a song that you’ve always known. The toasty, sun-soaked “Tangerine” has already cemented itself as an audience favourite, while the driving beat of “Thru Everything” and the bluesy swagger of “Left Of The Dealer” showcase the strength of the band’s rock DNA. At the album’s core sits the buoyant title track “Love Balloon” – anchored by an irresistible groove, pulsating bassline and shimmering guitar riff, threaded with Nile Rodgers-inspired funk that marks playful new territory for the group. And closing track “Drenched”, which drifts in like golden hour, warmed by slide guitar and subtle country twang, soaring on vintage synths and whirling guitars. Baden Donegal’s hypnotic vocals swell with dizzying self-reflection to glimmers of hope and release, it’s a finale that transforms introspection into bliss. The accompanying video was inspired by a wave of early-2000s nostalgia, drawing on director Duncan Wright’s own memories of growing up skating and “being ratbags when there wasn’t any swell” in Gracetown where the clip was shot – and aligning similarly to how the Ocean Alley boys grew up. Channeling that energy, the video features first-time actors alongside the band, who were given the freedom to play around in different scenes… surfing, loitering and capturing the carefree spirit of youth.
Love Balloon is a triumphant record that celebrates joy, reckons with change and reaffirms Ocean Alley’s deep commitment to each other and to the music that binds them. It’s the sound of a band pushing their creative limits, surprising at every turn, and reminding us that emotional truth doesn’t need to be complicated to be profound.
To celebrate the release, Ocean Alley will take Love Balloon on the road in early 2026 for their biggest Australian headline shows to date. Kicking off at Melbourne/Wurundjeri’s Catani Gardens on Saturday 24 January, the band will then head to Brisbane/Meanjin Showgrounds on Friday 30 January, before hitting The Domain in their hometown of Sydney/Eora on Saturday 31 January. They’ll round out the tour on the West Coast at Freo Esplanade and 3 Oceans Winery in Margaret River/Wadandi on Saturday 21 February and Sunday 22 February respectively. The East Coast shows will exclusively feature UK alt-rockers Nothing But Thieves and platinum-selling US outfit Rainbow Kitten Surprise, alongside the raw and relatable Ruby Fields. On the West Coast, DIY heroes Skegss join Ruby Fields and Perth’s rising indie-pop darlings Smol Fish.
The Australian run will follow a huge slate of international dates throughout 2025, including festival appearances at Lollapalooza, Sziget and Austin City Limits; two North American tours; the band’s first-ever shows in South America; and their largest headline show to date at London’s iconic 10,000-capacity Alexandra Palace.
With a catalogue surpassing 1 billion streams and a reputation for their magnetic live performances, Ocean Alley have cemented themselves as one of Australia’s most influential contemporary bands. Their breakthrough hit “Confidence” topped triple j’s Hottest 100 in 2018, has since gone 6x Platinum and charted around the world, plus most recently placed #65 in triple j’s Hottest 100 of Australian Songs.
With Love Balloon, Ocean Alley step into a bold new chapter – a band at the height of their powers, bringing their most open, spontaneous and radiant work to life on their biggest stages yet.
OCEAN ALLEY – LOVE BALLOON [LP]
Out 19 September via Community Music
Artwork by Nick Curl
BUY/STREAM THE ALBUM
Presented by Live Nation, Face to Face Touring, Macro Music, UNIFIED Music Group
Supported by triple j
OCEAN ALLEY
LOVE BALLOON AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2026
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS NOTHING BUT THIEVES (UK),
RAINBOW KITTEN SURPRISE (USA), SKEGSS, RUBY FIELDS
AND SMOL FISH
Saturday 24 January – Catani Gardens, Melbourne/Wurundjeri VIC*
Friday 30 January – Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane/Meanjin, QLD *
Saturday 31 January – The Domain, Sydney/Eora, NSW*
Saturday 21 February – Freo Esplanade, Fremantle/Whadjuk, WA^
Sunday 22 February – 3 Oceans Winery, Margaret River/Wadandi, WA^
For complete tour and ticket information, visit: oceanalley.com.au
*Supported by Nothing But Thieves, Rainbow Kitten Surprise (both exclusive to Mel/Bris/Syd) and Ruby Fields
^ Supported by Skegss, Ruby Fields and Smol Fish
Presented by Live Nation, Face to Face Touring, Macro Music, UNIFIED Music Group
Supported by triple j
OCEAN ALLEY
LOVE BALLOON AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2026
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS NOTHING BUT THIEVES (UK),
RAINBOW KITTEN SURPRISE (USA), SKEGSS, RUBY FIELDS
AND SMOL FISH
Saturday 24 January – Catani Gardens, Melbourne/Wurundjeri VIC*
Friday 30 January – Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane/Meanjin, QLD *
Saturday 31 January – The Domain, Sydney/Eora, NSW*
Saturday 21 February – Freo Esplanade, Fremantle/Whadjuk, WA^
Sunday 22 February – 3 Oceans Winery, Margaret River/Wadandi, WA^
For complete tour and ticket information, visit: oceanalley.com.au
*Supported by Nothing But Thieves, Rainbow Kitten Surprise (both exclusive to Mel/Bris/Syd) and Ruby Fields
^ Supported by Skegss, Ruby Fields and Smol Fish
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