Why Diiv is Both Right and Wrong for Indie Music Scene

Diiv has been a popular name in the indie music-sphere for more than seven years now. With their dreamy and slow post-rock sound, the band led by Z. Cole Smith has carved out a spot among the most influential indie acts of this generation. But, while it’s easy to give them props for their shimmering guitar work and darkly romantic lyrics, it’s important to take an honest look at some of the flaws that often come along with such ambition—especially when there’s significant change on both personal and musical fronts between albums. In this blog post I will discuss both what’s right and wrong about Diiv's career as musicians since they debuted their first album Oshin in 2012 until present day 2021and how these pros & cons have evolved over time.

For more than half a decade, Diiv has been making waves in the world of indie music. Led by the renowned guitarist Z. Cole Smith, the band has been hailed as one of the most influential names in the genre today. Their dreamy, post-rock sound and darkly romantic lyrics have won the hearts of many. But, as with any artist or band, there are bound to be pros and cons that come with the ambition and drive to create something new. In this blog post, we'll be taking a closer look at Diiv's career path over the years, and examine both their successes and shortcomings.

Starting with their debut album, Oshin, which was released in 2012 to much critical acclaim, Diiv quickly gained a following for their ability to blend dreamy, shoegaze style guitar work with driving, catchy melodies. The album displayed a mastery of sound that was rare and undeniable, and put Diiv on the indie scene map. From here, the band had only seemed to evolve with their next album, Is the Is Are, released in 2016. With catchy melodies and deeper instrumentals, Is the Is Are was another critical success. The album was a departure from their earlier work, showing signs of change both lyrically and sonically.

However, these changes were also what led to Diiv's biggest cons. Soon after the release of Is the Is Are, the band faltered and seemed to fall apart; Smith was struggling with addiction and his absences led to contradictions within band members. They had been on tour for two years almost nonstop, and the hours caught up with them. But, as with any strong band, the ups soon began to outweigh the drawbacks. The band picked up again in 2019 after releasing Deceiver, a more mature and refined sound that represented a shift towards a more introspective and evolved direction. With less emphasis on the melody-driven, hook-heavy elements, and more on the mood-driven lyrics, Deceiver showed that Diiv still had plenty to offer.

Clearly, the evolution of Diiv's sound has not been without its flaws. With the dark and messy interludes between albums, it's easy to see that the band has suffered as much as it has thrived along the way. But it's also important to give credit where credit is due - and Diiv have continued to grow, invent, and mature, with every album they release. Their sound continues to be rich, their lyrics more introspective, and their artistic vision more refined.

In the end, it is the unique sound, layered lyrics, and overall sense of introspection that makes Diiv stand out as a truly transformational band. Though it comes with its ups and downs; Diiv's journey has shaped them into the multifaceted but dynamic band they are today. Their music continues to grow and evolve, and their presence in indie music scene will remain ubiquitous for years to come. The flaws of their journey have only served to make their achievements that much more impressive.