The Wombats Release Highly Anticipated Sixth Album Oh! The Ocean
The Wombats are back with their long-awaited sixth studio album, Oh! The Ocean, now available via AWAL Recordings. In addition to the album release, the band has unveiled a new music video for their glittering disco track, “I Love America and She Hates Me,” starring viral Cyr wheel artist Hauke Narten and directed by Logan Fields. The track delves into frontman Murph’s complex feelings toward America, exploring themes of ambition, politics, and gun laws.
A Groundbreaking Music Video
The video for “I Love America and She Hates Me” features Hauke Narten performing an intricate Cyr wheel routine, symbolizing the struggles of navigating life’s pressures through self-expression and passion. Director Logan Fields shared his excitement, saying, “When Murph first sent me a clip of Hauke’s Cyr wheel routine, we knew this was the video. It really captures the essence of the song’s themes perfectly.”
A Sonic Evolution
After the success of their debut UK #1 album Fix Yourself Not The World in 2022, Oh! The Ocean brings The Wombats back, bigger and bolder than ever. The album offers a mix of emotional honesty and playful melodies, resonating deeply with their ever-growing fanbase. Recent singles like “Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want To Come” have received extensive radio support, with the track even landing on BBC Radio 1’s playlist.
The album was produced by John Congleton (St. Vincent, Death Cab for Cutie), who worked with the band in Echo Park, LA, over six weeks during the summer of 2024. Murph reflected on the album’s creation, inspired by a transformative experience during a family beach holiday. The title Oh! The Ocean stems from the moment he truly appreciated the vastness of the world, which sparked a deeper introspection about life, disconnection, and the importance of being present.
The Meaning Behind Oh! The Ocean
The album is a journey of self-discovery, with Murph asking existential questions like, “Why are my head and body disconnected all the time?” and “Why do I expect the world to conform to my will?” He explains, “I had been living a life caught up in my own head, and this experience on the beach made me realize how much I’d been missing.”
A Massive Tour Ahead
To support the album, The Wombats will embark on their biggest UK and European tour to date, including arena shows across the UK and 14 dates in Europe. The UK leg kicks off in Nottingham on March 18, with additional stops in London, Cardiff, Manchester, Hull, Glasgow, and Leeds. The band will also perform their largest homecoming show in Liverpool on June 19 at On The Waterfront.
Following their success since debuting in 2007 with A Guide to Love, Loss & Desperation, the band has grown into one of the most influential indie acts of the past two decades. With Oh! The Ocean, The Wombats mark a new chapter in their evolution, blending their catchy, cathartic sound with a more mature, reflective outlook.
Oh! The Ocean Tracklist:
- Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want To Come
- Can’t Say No
- Blood On The Hospital Floor
- Kate Moss
- Gut Punch
- My Head Is Not My Friend
- I Love America And She Hates Me
- The World’s Not Out To Get Me, I Am
- Grim Reaper
- Reality Is A Wild Ride
- Swerve (101)
- Lobster
The Wombats – UK Tour Dates:
- 18 March – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena
- 19 March – London, The O2
- 21 March – Cardiff, Utilita Arena
- 22 March – Manchester, AO Arena
- 23 March – Hull, Connexin Live
- 25 March – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
- 26 March – Leeds, First Direct Arena
- 19 June – Liverpool, Pier Head
The Wombats – EU Tour Dates:
- 28 March – France, Paris, Le Trabendo
- 30 March – Netherlands, Tilburg, 013 Tilburg
- 31 March – Netherlands, Amsterdam, Paradiso
- 1 April – Germany, Cologne, E-Werk
- 3 April – Germany, Munich, Theaterfabrik
- 4 April – Switzerland, Zurich, Komplex 457
- 5 April – Czech Republic, Prague, Archa +
- 7 April – Germany, Berlin, Columbiahalle
- 8 April – Germany, Munster, Jovel Music Hall
- 10 April – Norway, Oslo, Rockefeller Music Hall
- 11 April – Denmark, Copenhagen, Pumpehuset
- 12 April – Sweden, Stockholm, Vasateatern
- 15 April – Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Den Atelier
With Oh! The Ocean, The Wombats continue to make waves in the music scene, blending introspective lyricism with their trademark energetic sound. Don’t miss the chance to catch them on their biggest tour yet!
