The modern world of music can get rather monotonous at times. With the same cookie cutter tunes being pumped out each month, it’s truly a major treat when you stumble across something that’s just different and, quite honestly, perfect.

That’s exactly the case with psych-surf-rockers Ocean Alley’s latest single, Happy Sad. It’s just an amazing blend of psychedelic bliss, beautiful indie rock and powerful vocals that force you to sit upright and pay attention.

If you’ve never heard of this band from Down Under, I don’t blame you. In fact, many of the band’s fans would prefer the group to remain low-key so they can keep their unique sound all to themselves. But, with every new single, the band’s following is growing, and they deserve all the attention they are getting.

With their perfect blend of hard and soft, gritty and smooth, Ocean Alley is able to really stand out among the multitude of songs flooding the airwaves each week. But the magic doesn’t stop with the sound – the lyrics are also divine. Happy Sad, as an example, showcases the band’s willingness to say what they think, no holds barred. The group also has the ability to fully and colourfully capture the various intricacies of relationships, love, life, and dreams. They’re inspiring while also providing listeners with a solid reality check.

What makes Happy Sad such a hard-hitting instant success has a lot to do with vocalist Baden Donegal’s ability to bring emotion into every word he sings. The eventual crescendo of the song just tugs at your heart and your mind, throwing you into a disorientating spiral of nostalgia and emotions.

Along with the new song, the band also treated fans to a stellar music video which perfectly meshes with the sounds. Consisting of raw footage taken during the bands’ various tours across Australia and North America, the unfiltered images are reminiscent of an era far gone. You can watch this almost 6-minute music video here.

Happy Sad features on Ocean Alley’s second album, Chiaroscuro. The title of the album perfectly encapsulates what this band is all about - it refers to the use of bold contrast of light and shade in art – and promises to take listeners on a glorious modern-nostalgic journey, both mentally and spiritually.

If you happen to be in the UK this September, you can catch the band at various festivals and headline shows, while the band is set to kick off a massive US tour in November. For more details on where you can catch them live, you can check out Ocean Alley’s website or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.