DIIV - Is The Is Are
There were almost four years of silence after DIIV debuted with the critically acclaimed, dreamy, and amorphous, Oshin. Since then, the band has had its struggles—it seems primarily with drugs and alcohol. In 2013 guitarist Andre Bailey entered rehab, and frontman Zachary Cole Smith and his girlfriend Sky Ferreira were arrested for possession of heroin and ecstasy. In 2014 it was Smith’s turn to do a stint in rehab. Last year drummer Colby Hewitt left the band because of challenges with addiction.
These troubles have led many critics to write off DIIV as another rock cliché—a bunch of bratty hipsters who can’t keep their lives together. Perhaps this criticism has served as motivation—their new record, Is The Is Are, sets free 17 solid new tracks.
Self-recorded and self-produced, the band claimed Elliot Smith and Royal Trux influenced this album—although it sounds nothing like either. Instead, the record focuses on—nearly fetishizes—guitar tones and textures. It repeatedly creates gorgeous atmospheres that bring to mind bands like The Chameleons, The Cure, and My Bloody Valentine.
DIIV’s guitar love is clear from the amp crackling on the opening track, “Out of Mind” – they draw plenty of influence from shoegaze and classic post-punk. Also, in contrast to Oshin, the production style of the new record is more open and natural sounding.
The first single, “Dopamine,” sails along like a dream, and “Blue Boredom” features Sky Ferreira reciting a breathy Kim Gordon style spoken word amidst an atmosphere of guitars and the pulsing bass of Devin Perez.“Valentine” and “Healthy Moon” are two of the hottest tracks on the album—both casting dark, gorgeous atmospheres.
Whatever can be said about their personal lives, DIIV is a great band. Is The Is Are again and again highlights their greatest strength: their ability to create beautiful instrumentals and to engross listeners into mysterious soundscapes.