Ocean Noise

Victoria’s Ocean Noise makes sophisticated indie pop and features alternating lead vocals by a male singer and a female one, who also harmonize wonderfully with each other. Keyboardist Rachel Deines and guitarist Brian Ypma are the singers in question, and while they might not be comfortable being pegged as the West Coast’s answer to Amy Millan and Torquil Campbell, Stars might be the best comparison, as in “recommended if you like”.
Ocean Noise can play with surging intensity, as it proves on the synthesizer-driven opening track, “Ever Restless”, and the guitar-churned “Always Be Enough”. But when the band slows things down, the songs are just as effective. “Trace”, for example, unfolds over a softly rolling acoustic guitar, and “No Sound” builds with unexpected rhythmic shifts and subtly jazzy chord changes. “No Sound” also brings the melodrama like nobody’s business.
That, in fact, is one of Ocean Noise’s defining characteristics, along with unswerving sincerity. This is music that takes itself seriously and demands that you, the listener, do the same. If you’re prepared to weather 13 tracks of ceaseless earnestness, Lost Horizon offers plenty of rewards. An abundance of hooks isn’t one of them, but the band smartly ends the proceedings with the searing title cut, whose yearning refrain of “Ear to the ground and drowning in the sound, it’s deafening” feels like the album’s emotional climax.

John Lucas, The Georgia Straight - John Lucas, The Georgia Straight

Victoria’s own Ocean Noise released their debut album, Lost Horizon, in March 2012. The four-piece band delivers a mix of upbeat indie rock and mellow acoustic rock that keeps your ears tuned into every song. The vocal pairing works: Brian Ypma’s slight rasp and Rachel Deines’s clean voice mesh together and compliment the music with simple harmonies.
The album kicks off with blasts of energetic guitar riffs reminiscent of The Gaslight Anthem’s The ‘59 Sound, complete with driving drums and a touch of airy synth. Deines leads the vocals on “Ever Restless,” and Ypma joins in a call-and-response chorus. The next track, “Always Be Enough,” keeps the same vibe; both got me in a dancey mood.
Things start to slow down in “Like a Warning.” Simple piano and guitar create a great, laid-back swing and a much more acoustic sound.
The middle of the album maintains a fairly acoustic-rock feel, with subtle drums, piano and simple vocals for the next few tracks. “No Sound” caught my ears with an endearingly clunky piano waltz and a haunting guitar harmony. It made my vintage senses tingle.
This segues into the deep retro-synth riff of “Pray Into The Screen.” I absolutely love the old video game sound, but it gets lost as the song becomes an upbeat rock tune. The video-game theme is reprised at the end, but it feels like a mash-up between two different songs.
The track list finishes off with the title song, “Lost Horizon,” recalling the same energy that began the album.
Ocean Noise gives listeners a combo of easy listening and rocking tunes. Whether you’re dancing in the kitchen or studying for a midterm, Lost Horizon will make a great addition to your iTunes playlist.

Jenn Takaoka, The Martlet - Jenn Takaoka, The Martlet

"You guys have so much going for you. Great sound, awesome vocals, songwriting and production. All the best in what should be a stellar career!" Ron Gilmour, Power 104 Kelowna - Ron Gilmour, Power 104 Kelowna

"You guys have so much going for you. Great sound, awesome vocals, songwriting and production. All the best in what should be a stellar career!" Ron Gilmour, Power 104 Kelowna - Ron Gilmour, Power 104 Kelowna

"Sounds great! So many favourite tracks with a cool, mellow vibe. Love it." Rachel Day, NOW FM Edmonton
- Rachel Day, NOW FM Edmonton

"The album sounds great! Really pro quality, and Rachel has a fun flirty voice." Candice, Indie88 Toronto - Candice, Indie88 Toronto

"Lost Horizon is a release you would expect a band to put out as their 2nd or 3rd album, the quality of the songs and production is rare for an independent record." Scott McGregor, Rock 106 Lethbridge
- Scott McGregor, Rock 106