Released 10 years ago
Is the Is Are
DIIV · 2016
63 min · 17 tracks · indie rock
Ethereal melodies intertwine with jangly guitars and introspective lyrics, creating a dreamy yet haunting sonic landscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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Under the Sun — This track captures the essence of the album with its lush instrumentation and reflective lyrics exploring existential themes, serving as a standout moment in the band's evolving sound.
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Dopamine — The song's pulsating rhythm and layered vocal harmonies encapsulate the tension between euphoria and despair, perfectly reflecting the album's overarching emotional landscape.
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Dust — With its introspective lyrics and haunting melody, Dust serves as a poignant exploration of loss and longing, making it a memorable highlight of the record.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends ethereal melodies with introspective lyrics, creating a distinct yet cohesive sound despite some pacing issues.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
- Several tracks incorporate layered guitar effects that create a dense, atmospheric soundscape, particularly in 'Incarnate Devil' and 'Healthy Moon'.
- The lyrics often reflect introspective themes, with a focus on personal struggles, which are mirrored by the haunting melodies.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic emotional journeys
- long immersive listening sessions
- wave-like pacing exploration
- introspective late-night vibes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Is the Is Are is DIIV's sophomore album, following their critically acclaimed debut Oshin released in 2012. By 2016, the band was navigating personal struggles and lineup changes while attempting to maintain their distinct sound amidst external pressures. This album marked their return after a turbulent period that included frontman Zachary Cole Smith's public battles with addiction.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Beach Fossils· Real Estate· Wild Nothing
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Out of Mind 3:08
- 2 Under the Sun 3:47
- 3 Bent (Roi's Song) 5:40
- 4 Dopamine 3:55
- 5 Blue Boredom 2:33
- 6 Valentine 3:17
- 7 Yr Not Far 3:19
- 8 Take Your Time 4:58
- 9 Is the Is Are 3:08
- 10 Mire (Grant's Song) 5:34
- 11 Incarnate Devil 4:42
- 12 (Fuck) 0:16
- 13 Healthy Moon 4:11
- 14 Loose Ends 3:12
- 15 (Napa) 1:44
- 16 Dust 4:34
- 17 Waste of Breath 5:22
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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