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Life has not been an easy ride for DIIV over the past two years, especially for Zachary Cole Smith: the vocalist, lead guitarist and front-man of New York based indie rock shoegaze band. Since the release of critically acclaimed of debut album Oshin in 2012, things began to look rather rough for the former member of large alumni of bands such as Darwin Deez, Beach Fossils and Soft Black. After an arrest on drug charges in 2013 and a subsequent rehabilitation order in 2014, fans were left anxiously worrying for his health, but also with a of anticipation when songs such as 'Dust' were teased on tours, along with the dropping of lead single 'Dopamine' in late 2015. Drug problems weren't only just faced by Smith, but also by Colby Hewitt who eventually departed the band after his drug addiction mid-recording of Is The Is Are. Additionally, the band itself struggled with controversy as Bassist Devin Ruben Perez wrote sexist and racist remarks on 4chan, which Smith himself dubbed to be 'disgusted' by via twitter. Despite this variety of hiccups, DIIV made this 4 year period of near-silence worth it with this sophomore album, even if it took allegedly 150 songs to get there.
The album begins in a very familiar DIIV-style used throughout the entirety of the album Oshin on the song 'Out Of Mind.' Hazed jangled guitars erupt unapologetically in the intro, leading to create a riff that will undoubtedly be stuck in your head for days. Zach Cole Smith regards the late Elliot Smith to be his biggest influence of this album. Instrumentally, Elliot Smith's influence isn't exactly noticeable with heavy guitar jangling throughout, however Smith's vocals in songs such as 'Under The Sun' and 'Take Your Time' reminisce on Elliott Smith's soft, layered vocals.
Undoubtedly the most anticipated aspect of this album is DIIV's collaboration with indie pop singer and (Ex?!)girlfriend of Smith, Sky Ferreira. The track 'Blue Boredom' emulates their struggles as a couple after their arrest in drug possession. This isn't surprising this couple have been dubbed the Kurt and Courtney of the 21st Century especially through Ferreira's sighs and Kim Gordon emulation that haunt the song. Despite personally being excited by this track due to my love for Sky Ferreira's 'Night Time, My Time' album, this track seems like somewhat of a throwaway anthem to fill a hole for the Ferreira-Smith shippers (RIP.)
Whilst it seems evident that DIIV have became stuck in a familiar style at times, the track 'Mire (Grant's Song)' on the latter half of the album delves into a much more personal lyrical focus which Smith hoped to achieve in this album. On this emotional track, Smith reflects on the struggles of the band itself, remarking 'I was blind, now I see you made relieve agony.' This form is used throughout the album in other tracks, particularly the lyrically rough 'Dust:' 'I know I gotta kick but I can’t get sick.' In comparison to Oshin, the structural integrity of this album is much more sound, again adopting uses of chorus', bridges and introductions which were somewhat missing from the madness of the tracks on Oshin (see Air Conditioning as an example.) In particular, the song 'Incarnate Devil' reflects a more easy-listening track in terms of DIIV's general discography with the still underlying melancholic guitar solos. The album is generally a mixed bag of emotions, evoking a movement of happy reflections which evolve into a pessimistic nature by the end of the album in tracks such as ‘Healthy Moon:’ ‘It there’s a fucked moon in my head, It claws the ground both lost and found.’ This nihilistic attitude continues until the 64th minute with the track 'Waste of Breath,' with repeated lyrics and slow drum beats almost making me question my entire personal existence: ‘It's no good it would be a waste of breath to tell a man who believes in me that he's got something better to do.’ This final statement ensures one fact: the DIIV are not going anywhere, and despite the difficulties they have faced, they will motor on equip with both angst and pride known and loved by their fans.
Favourite Tracks: Dopamine, Healthy Moon, Under The Sun
Least Favourite Tracks: Take Your Time, Bent (Roi’s Song)
Rating: 7.5/10
Label: Captured Tracks
