Dublin collective Oceanna have unveiled their self-titled debut EP. Across five tracks, the band works to cement itself as a contender for Dublin’s best within Nu-Jazz. Their sound begins on a foundation of their contemporaries, Alfa Mist, Yussef Dayes, BADBADNOTGOOD and others. From there, it draws on moments of psychedelia and beautiful, atmospheric, shimmering production.
The trumpet lines offer that classic jazz feel, riding moments when the guitar pulls back into more of a traditional, bluesy roll, though it is perfectly ready to play with the more experimental moments, as the guitars rise up into more reverberating, space-aged tones. The drums are under perfect control, driving the grooves and using their authority to dance around definitions of a set tempo.
It’s through all these elements and more that Oceanna create a jazz sound that tells a story, sucking you into something transcendent and out of body. The joy of catching an intimate, undercover note or drum hit, the emotion of feeling the expanse wash over you.
The band explain, “Recorded over two different weekends in Black Mountain Studios, this EP shows interesting aspects of how Oceanna speaks the language of music. Each of the 5 songs expresses very distinct feelings/emotions and takes you on a deep dive into them – but also allows the listener to explore the elements that tie the piece together as a whole.”
They’ve performed festivals across Ireland, they’ve supported a European tour, and now they’ve released a fantastic debut EP. This cultural blend of Ireland and Brazil, painted with a Nu-Jazz brush, is undoubtedly going to make waves in the genre.
Listen to the project here:
