For twenty years now, alt-rock and pop punk fans have screamed their hearts out to “Ocean Avenue,” the iconic title track and sun-soaked anthem from Yellowcard’s fourth studio album. There are many reasons to love the song, be it the wistful lyrics or singable melodies, but there is a certain element to it that makes it such a staple in the alt-rock and pop punk scenes. While I can’t say for sure just what that element is, I know that the memories fans have made with this song are a big part of its longevity. So, how do you honor an important milestone for the track? Re-releasing it with the legendary Steve Aoki would be a start.
Initially fans of each other’s music, Yellowcard and Steve Aoki came together to collaborate on new music when the idea of remixing the track came to mind. Ryan Key of Yellowcard shares,
“I really admired the collaborations Steve was doing in the alternative rock and emo world, and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect to reach out and see if we could work together for the 20th anniversary of ‘Ocean Avenue.’ Steve’s passion for music and creativity is infectious. The band and I are huge electronic music fans, so working with him has been an absolute career highlight.”
Meanwhile, Steve Aoki explains,
“When Ryan initially reached out about the possible collab, I was really excited – especially when I discovered how much he loves electronic music. We combined our different musical styles to create a perfect fusion of alt-rock and electronic for this track. Honoring ‘Ocean Avenue’ ’s 20th anniversary by blending these sounds was an amazing experience.”
Adding a little more flair to the original, Steve Aoki injects his signature dance and electronic style. The 2003 nostalgia is still there, but we now get exciting drops, riveting beats, and a buoyant energy that brings the track into a fresh space. There is a strong balance of alt-rock and electronic music, as one genre does not dominate or drown out the other. You can still cry and scream along to the lyrics, but instead of moshing, you can now do a cool shuffle on the dance floor.
You can listen to the “Ocean Avenue” remix on platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, and SoundCloud.
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