BROOKLYN’S finest noise-makers DIIV are back three years after the release of their debut album Oshin in 2012. Led by Zachary Cole Smith, the New Yorkers have released the first track from their upcoming sophomore release Is This Is Are, ‘Dopamine’. Is This Is Are is expected for release later in 2015 on Captured Tracks and if ‘Dopamine’ is anything to go by it’s going to be an exceptional piece of work.
The track rises from precise twinned guitar parts that sound like The Shins covering The Cure before taking off majestically into a new world powered by driving bass and direct drumming. Smith’s vocals are still awash with reverb and echo but ‘Dopamine’ is certainly one of the frontman’s most exposed performances to date; the verse melody exudes a lazy cool which lilts atop the band’s wave of sound. The track’s real victory, however, is in its subtlety and carefully thought-out dynamics; guitar parts writhe into life at every turn, simmering beneath the surface and shimmering with distortion.
‘Dopamine’ is direct and arresting and on this evidence it looks like DIIV may have created something very special indeed in Is This Is Are.
Listen to ‘Dopamine’ below:
