DIIV

Deceiver

Deceiver represents arguably DIIV's finest body of work to date.

Instead of another blissful smattering of lo-fi shoegaze, the songs on this record are immense—both sonically and thematically.

Simply put ... ‘Deceiver’ is a rebirth: one that reflects both the personal growth of lead singer Zachary Cole Smith, and the maturing of the band as a whole to deal with the turmoil around them.

DIIV's new album is a dark but empathetic account of coming to terms with physical and mental pain, and how an individual's behaviour and experiences can touch all of those around them.

Reinforcing their rhythm-driven shoegaze with sturdier instrumentation, it represents DIIV’s most full-bodied album to date.

On Deceiver, DIIV have done the work, and the results are new levels of emotional and musical depth.

‘Deceiver’ is Cole’s first truly clear-eyed artistic statement - it’s also his most mature.

It's dark subject matter — which makes grunge's famously gloomy sonic palette a particularly good fit for a record that's as beautiful as it is bleak.

It’s actually the more fragile moments on ‘Deceiver’ that ultimately prove to be the most emotionally resonant.

It’s very cliche to say, but there’s a looseness and fragility to the whole album; it sounds like it could fall apart at any second, but never really does. That’s something many bands aim to do, but few pull it off as convincingly as DIIV do here.

The shoegaze band’s third album is another portrait of addiction and recovery, but this time there’s no suggestion of a victory lap. The lyrics may wallow, but the music soars.

Through their work on Deceiver, DIIV have found that sweet spot of writing to exorcise their own demons all the while helping the listener with theirs. Rebirth has never sounded so good.

Deceiver works best when DIIV steps out of its comfort zone.