North Atlantic Drift kicks off with ‘I Just Need Myself’, following in the footsteps of opening tracks like ‘The Riverboat Song’ and ‘Hundred Mile High City’ – a great, upbeat beginning that sets the scene for the next 45 minutes. There is always the chance with new albums that the band may completely change the style which has brought them the fanbase, but it was a relief to hear some trademark tracks that don’t disappoint.
I bought the album not having heard any of the songs, which can be a risk, but having bought ‘Mechanical Wonder’ two summers ago and never growing tired of repeated listenings, I had faith that ‘NAD’ would be of similar class.
Title track ‘North Atlantic Drift’ is simply excellent and on first listen is firmly planted in your mind. It is rare for me to instantly click with a new album, but songs such as ‘I Just Need Myself’, ‘For Every Corner’, and of course, the aforementioned ‘NAD’, are perfect the first time round.
It’s so often the case that when a band have been around for a while their material becomes tired, but this is certainly not so with OCS. They have the talent to consistently release music that is fresh and only gets better with every listen. North Atlantic Drift is an album that should be in everyone’s collection this summer, standing up well alongside soundtracks to summer 1996 featured on Moseley Shoals.