SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: DIIV – FROG IN BOILING WATER

DIIV
FROG IN BOILING WATER
FANTASY RECORDS

Frog In Boiling Water is the first record from DIIV since Deceiver which was released in 2019. It continues to see the band working in a much darker and heavier territory than the first few records, though several songs still have hints of their indie rock and dream pop roots.

Frog In Boiling Water has no shortage of intriguing and hardcore guitar riffs. Highlights include the bleak, brooding, menacing, and Nirvana-esque guitar riffs and howls of “In Amber”, the thunderous, wild and out-of-control ending of “Reflected”, and the melodic interplay between the guitar and the keys in “Little Birds”. Overall, “Reflected” and “Little Birds” are very hit-or-miss (some parts are super electrifying, other parts not so much) and are weaker than many other songs. However, at least both have strong instrumentation, especially from the former.

Standout tracks are “Brown Paper Bag” and “Everyone Out”. “Brown Paper Bag” has impressive vocals from Zachary Cole Smith and some heavy and magnetic guitar riffs. It is a top-notch combination of grunge and shoegaze. “Everyone Out” is a magical experience and a breathtaking spectacle. In this track, DIIV combines the best parts of their early indie rock and dream pop sound with their heavy grunge and shoegaze sound. The ethereal and dreamy atmosphere is incredibly captivating and one of the best of the year. Furthermore, Smith’s vocals are the best on the record, and the acoustic guitar harmonics are lovely. Few tracks with guitar harmonics released this year will top the ones in “Everyone Out”. From start to finish, the track is absolutely gorgeous.

In conclusion, Frog In Boiling Water offers some good shoegaze tracks with spectacular atmosphere.

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