Everyone has a band that just eases their brain a bit. I’ve got a handful; some are really loud, and some have this sound that I cannot describe- but I know it makes life a little easier. DIIV fall into the latter. They have this sound that just levels everything out, and nothing can get in to disrupt that.

Their new record takes its name from a novel by Daniel Quinn and is a record that has a lot of conscious thought poured into it. You can really feel and sense every element of care that has gone into this record. No part of it’s been rushed, and that’s how you need to listen to it. Make time for YOU and just play this record. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve listened to this record in the past week, but I can tell you that blasting it through headphones is the best way to really soak up this record. DIIV make music that makes the world a bit more tender, and we all know how brutally heavy everything is. When you play this record, everything feels lighter, and I get that every time I listen to them- it doesn’t matter what record; they just give you this reassurance.

The lead single, Brown Paper Bag is divine. It just feels like you are about to fall into the best sleep of your life. I could easily have the best sleep of my life listening to DIIV- they just give you this general ease once you listen to them and even though some of what they sing about is heavy, there is a lightness that makes it all okay. From Oshin to Frog in Boiling Water, DIIV have again proved themselves to be a band that just know exactly what they are doing. Sure, they have a certain sound, but it has grown so much. I remember hearing them for the first time in either 2011 or 2012, and it felt like the world stopped. I still get that feeling now when I listen to them. I can only liken listening to DIIV as that very light feeling of falling in love properly- there’s no weight, there’s no expectations- it just happens. A sense of freedom in your mind and heart.

For me, DIIV have never made a bad record and if they have- I refuse to acknowledge if they have of course! Songs like Somber the Drums and In Amber just show how incredible the band are, and you close the record with Fender on the Freeway>! Who gave them permission to make such a killer record! Come on now! It’s one of those records that fit perfectly, and of course some may call Deceiver as their best work so far- but when you listen to their records in order, you will see (well, hear) and how every record fits perfectly. Frog in Boling Water sounds perfect right after Deceiver. I just love this band, but you knew that.

To even attempt to pick a favourite song after a week of almost religiously playing it- I’m going between Everyone Out and Little Birds. I think Little Birds is my favourite lyrically and vocally, but I’ve spent a fair amount of time listening to Soul-net and it may be one of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard this year. I can’t choose. The record is produced by Chris Coady, and if you’ve listened to anything Chris has touched- you will know it is out of this world. Which is why Frog in Boiling Water is DIIV at their best again.  You can really hear that DIIV are a band that will just keep going and going; but still with something to say. Some keep going and should perhaps either quit or take a break for a while, but DIIV are not that band. They are a band that just clearly get better with every record.

Frog in Boiling Water shows such growth in the band, and it also shows that they are absolutely nowhere near done. DIIV are band that always make you excited with what they’re about to do next, and they’ve been doing this for well over 10 years now- that’s going nowhere. Just like my love for them.