The band was renowned for its prolific recording output, having released eight full-length studio albums over seven years, and its heavy touring schedule that frequently took in regional towns alongside more traditional capital city venues.

[3] The decision was motivated by the shock passing of guitarist, drummer and vocalist Zac Denton, who died of a brain cyst in October 2018, with the band saying that "we felt that writing new material without him wouldn’t feel right".

[8] Still in its nascent stages, the band would record a handful of tracks for its upcoming debut extended play, uploading "Winter", "Shaking Like a Leaf", and "St Kilda Beach" to the Triple J Unearthed website.

[9] The band's work continued to catch the attention of Triple J, with "Shaking Like a Leaf" receiving airplay on music director Richard Kingsmill's weekly show in February 2010.

[18] Music journalist Zahra Khamissa wrote for Tone Deaf that "The Dogs", a guitar-based track just short of two minutes in length, was "a light-hearted tune, one that should be accompanied with roof top beers and a hazy sunset.

[20][21] The Ocean Party's debut album, The Sun Rolled Off the Hills, was released on vinyl LP, CD and digitally on 31 January 2012 through Sound of Melbourne Records.

[16] Opening pairing "The Dogs" and "The Farm" centre around vast landscapes and persistent sunshine, the latter theme recurring on final track "Every House"; "Shakin' Like a Leaf" explores the nervousness around losing one's virginity; and "Still Raining" and "Shepparton" follow the challenges of a long-distance relationship.