Album Review: Declan O’Rourke, Oceanic

Five years since Arrivals, the Paul Weller-produced album that marked a high point in Declan O’Rourke’s catalogue, the stunningly beautiful Oceanic continues his rich vein of form.

Take ‘Earl Grey And Edwin’, a sublime piece of orchestral pop, juxtaposing a classical arrangement with contemporary lyrical imagery. Or ‘What Does The Eye Of A Great Whale See’, which captures a master craftsman at work.

Recorded in Sydney with longtime friend and collaborator, Midnight Oil man Jim Moginie, the album marks a full-circle moment in O’Rourke’s life and career – as it was in Oz, whilst still a teenager, that he committed his first songs to tape.

Indeed, his acclaimed debut, Since Kyabram, takes its name from a south Australian town. Remarkably, lead single ‘Miracles And Mirages’ was originally written the day after O’Rourke and Moginie met – and it’s a banger!

‘For Free’ and ‘Song For Baby’ are gilt-edged O’Rourke songs – wistful and humane. ‘O Deepest Sorrow’, with its rather shocking imagery of loved ones burnt and strung up, delivers a frightful jolt. Elsewhere, the Tom Petty-scorched ‘Echo’ will no doubt become a live favourite, while ‘The Magic Road To Anywhere’ is a further standout. Mighty stuff.

9/10