In May 2013 Wellington country/folk/rock four-piece What Noisy Cats started to record their debut album, finishing it earlier in 2015. Taking up where their self-titled 2011 EP left off, the band have developed their sound, recycling standout tracks Meet Me In Montauk and Finest Clothes for the album. ‘A Different Ocean’ may have country and folk elements, but the album is rooted in established rock sensibilities, veering between softer acoustic-based numbers and harder, rockier sounds. The band even dabble with dream pop atmospherics on the airy In The Morning, which seems a little out of place, but provides an interesting diversion.

Leaping around within the alt-rock genre, the album does have a consistency of sound, aided by Luke Marlowe’s lead vocals. The album is bookended by tracks that belie the band’s energy. Opener Little Lies starts quietly, building to a wall of vocals and guitars, while the rather gentle, subdued title track ends the album almost on a (pleasurable) downer. What Noisy Cats have created an album that grows, and reveals its charms more and more with every listen.