After a 3 year hiatus, Canadian indie favourites, Hey Ocean! return with a new evolution of their energetic brand of west coast pop. David Beckingham, Ashleigh Ball, and David Vertesi have used the last few years to focus on other projects including their own solo records but the Juno-nominated trio's decade-plus long collaboration seems to have called them back for perhaps their strongest effort yet.
For long time fans, the new music builds a bridge between the carefree experimentation of 2008's "It's Easier To Be Somebody Else" and the slick pop production and songwriting of 2012's "IS". If it sounds like they are more relaxed, it’s because they are. The band cites their time away from Hey Ocean! as being key to feeling more at ease in the studio and with the project itself.
“Taking space to work on our own respective solo albums has been great.” Says Beckingham “We've grown up, learned a ton about our strengths and weaknesses, and had time to reflect on what makes this collaboration so special. "
They have also relieved pressure by parting ways with their record labels in favour of returning to life as an independent artist. "We're excited to be in control of our music again" says Vertesi "Being hands on definitely helps us feel more connected to what we're doing and to the fans of our music who have supported us through so much and for so long."