Deep Sea Arcade have made their eagerly awaited return, dropping 'No Direction' – the captivating first track from their forthcoming third album, which is expected to land sometime in the middle of the year. The single arrives accompanied by a truly imaginative music video that matches the song's swirling sonic palette.
The tune itself, a swirling slice of nostalgia and surrealism,sees frontman Nic Mckenzie link up remotely with Jay Watson, known for his work with Tame Impala and Pond. Watson co-produced and mixed the track from his base in Perth while Mckenzie was in Sydney. Mckenzie initially sketched out the song using programmed drum beats, lush Mellotron strings, and bespoke synthesiser sounds. Watson then layered in live instrumentation, adding drums, bass, guitar, and even a glockenspiel to give the piece its dynamic feel and rich texture.
Lyrically, the song touches on those moments of uncertainty we all face. “‘No Direction’ is about standing at a crossroads—whether with lovers, friends, or our past selves. It’s about the courage to embrace change,” Mckenzie says of the track's core theme.
The accompanying video is a masterclass in creative low-budget filmmaking. It was shot right at Mckenzie’s house, where he and his cousin, Andrew Mortlock, constructed an utterly bizarre set resembling a retro space station studio. They sourced the wall panels from Sydney Props, demonstrating some serious indie ingenuity. “This set had no screws—it was completely held together with velcro we bought from Bunnings,” Mckenzie shares, highlighting the inventive, if slightly precarious, construction method.
Mckenzie, drawing on his background in creating animatics for commercials and documentaries, personally handled the video's animation sequences. He dusted off his After Effects skills for the first time in half a decade to bring the clip's trippy, futuristic vibe to life.
He cites classic sci-fi and specific artists as major influences: “I was obsessed with Alien as a kid and used it as a big reference—alongside NASA illustrators like Chesley Bonestell, Don Davis, and Rick Guidice, whose work inspired my illustrations and animations. I also read that Alien is just Moby Dick in space, which I love—so our homage to the facehugger is a giant squid that pops up for about five seconds.” The visual tapestry is further enriched by nods to airbrushed black light posters and vintage sci-fi art from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, creating a vibrant, kaleidoscopic feel that perfectly complements the track's sound.
'No Direction' serves as an exciting re-introduction to Deep Sea Arcade's world, offering a compelling glimpse into their upcoming album with its infectious sound and wonderfully offbeat visuals. Fans certainly have plenty to look forward to later this year.
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