DIIV’s Zachary Cole-Smith certainly stands out from your typical indie rock frontman. Just take his comments on the making of this, his band’s second album, which are framed in rather disturbing life and death terms: “I know I have to stay alive at least until the album’s done,” he told NME. “This is one shot at immortality, if I ever have one. I know it’s by far the most important thing I’ll ever do.”
Is The Is Are is certainly ambitious. A double album that takes their debut Oshin’s obsession with sonic textures and runs with it across 17 tracks. There are moments of exquisite beauty – swan-diving guitar lines and vocals that seem to be absorbed by the waves of sound – and moments where they just want to rock out, like on the melodic Dopamine.
Have a listen using the player below and let us know your thoughts in the comments!
