The end of The Ocean’s 2023 album Holocene concludes with a bleak vision of a dystopian landscape on Earth, depleted and uninhabitable. The only option to ensure survival is a drastic course of action; one that signals a new era: the creation of new, artificial worlds with living conditions resembling those on Earth. Human intelligence forms the foundation of technological progress; yet it is precisely this progress that inevitably leads to self-destruction. As rational beings, we are fundamentally just as capable of initiating our own extinction as we are of preventing it.

Since the release of Holocene, The Ocean itself has gone through radical changes, and the arrival of a new album in the shape of Solaris signals the beginning of a new era for the band.
Solaris introduces new vocalists Lane Shi and Enrico Tiberi, as well as guitarists Emmanuel Jessua and Marco Gennaro, who join founding guitarist Robin Staps, longtime bassist Mattias Hägerstrand, and drummer Jordi Farré. Each contributes their own unique flair to bring to life the near-70 minute opus that marks a new high point for The Ocean in terms of ambition and narrative scope.

As the Holocene-era lineup collapsed in the wake of heavy touring, shifting life priorities and band members moving away to other countries, Staps contemplated the future of the band he had dedicated almost 25 years of his life to. The way forward became clear through a series of chance encounters and existing connections: one by one, pieces of the new band formation fell into place, and when the old lineup played their last show at Hellfest 2025, he found himself already in the middle of working on a new album. Existing instrumental compositions gained a new impetus under the gaze of the fresh incarnation of The Ocean, and over the course of 2025, Solaris began to take on a tangible shape and presence.

Solaris is the name of an intelligent ocean in Andrey Tarkovsky’s 1972 film of the same name, and combines the dystopian sci-fi storytelling with existential contemplation inspired by the journals and records of real-life explorers. By poring over the historic documents related to explorers such as Da Gama, Magellan, and Sir Frances Drake, Solaris draws parallels between the cosmic explorations of Tarkovsky’s film, the explorative nature of artists and current-day political leaders. It asks questions of those among us who are seekers; what is the psychological cost of being so driven? What do we leave behind in pursuit of answers? What is the tipping point between exploring new terrains and dominating them for our own gain?

Solaris is The Ocean’s 12th studio album – one that honours the progress of the band to date and imbues it with a fresh sense of intensity. Featuring members from six different countries in the core line up, The Ocean returns to its collective formation and is able to draw on the experiences and talents of a pool of extraordinary musicians. Whilst never seeking to replicate what has gone before, Enrico Tiberi’s vocals deliver a familiarity, energy and vocal range that is sure to resonate with long-time fans of The Ocean. Meanwhile, Lane Shi who used to sing for the American band Elizabeth Colour Wheel and also performs under the solo moniker Otay:Onii adds a new direction to The Ocean sound and performance, comprising elements and experience as a musician and performance artist who has appeared at events such as CTM, Biennale or as part of Florentina Holzinger’s polarizing opera production ‘Sancta‘.

It was a great pleasure to have Robin on the Interview to speak on Solaris and much more, Check out the complete coverage on the below YouTube Video.

SOLARIS TRACK LISTING:
“52°30’11” N, 13°26’12“ E”
“Departure Song”
“Light Pollution”
“Simulacra”
“Belligerence”
“Ultima Esperanza”
“Milk Of My Dreams”
“51°28’30” S, 73°6’11” W”