Ocean Drive

Duke Dumont's 'Ocean Drive' is a song that encapsulates the feeling of a nocturnal escapade, where the thrill of the night is intertwined with a sense of melancholy and yearning. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a couple riding down the boulevard, immersed in the darkness of the night. The recurring theme of 'half the tank and empty heart' suggests a journey that is both literal and metaphorical. The couple is not only driving with a limited amount of fuel, but their emotional reserves are also running low, hinting at a relationship that is perhaps running on fumes, sustained by the pretense of love.

The chorus of the song introduces the powerful metaphor of 'dancing with the devil,' which implies a flirtation with danger or the forbidden. The 'fire to a world so cold' could represent the passion or excitement that the couple brings into each other's lives, a stark contrast to the emptiness they feel inside. The 'highway to never' is a poignant image of a path leading to an undefined future, a journey without a clear destination, emphasizing the transient nature of the moment they are trying to hold onto. The repetition of 'hold on' serves as a plea to maintain their grip on the present, despite the inevitability of change and the approaching storm.

Duke Dumont, known for his deep house and UK garage influences, creates a soundscape that complements the lyrical content of 'Ocean Drive.' The pulsating beats and the smooth, synth-driven melody evoke the sensation of driving through the night, encapsulating the duality of excitement and despair. The song's atmosphere is charged with the energy of a fleeting adventure, yet underscored by a sense of longing and the sobering realization that the night, much like the relationship it symbolizes, cannot last forever.