DIIV

DIIV (pronounced “Dive”) is not just a name; it’s the entire vibe. The Brooklyn band’s hazy, hypnotic dream pop seems to exist in a weightless, watery place—one that’s infinitely inviting no matter how dark it gets. Founded in 2011, DIIV grew out of a bedroom project by former Soft Black and Beach Fossils member Zachary Cole Smith. The singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer recruited childhood friend Andrew Bailey to join on guitar and soon gathered a full band to help flesh out his creations. The result was DIIV’s 2012 debut album, Oshin, a warm, woozy collection awash in shimmering guitars that became a touchstone of shoegaze in the 21st century. While DIIV’s indie status rose, the band’s fate hinged on Smith, who openly battled addiction, a struggle that continues to inspire much of his material. As Smith lets his feelings and vocals float ever closer to the surface, DIIV’s sound has grown decidedly denser and darker—rich in reverb and remorse on 2016’s motorik-pulsing Is the Is Are and 2019’s grunge-leaning Deceiver, the band’s most collaborative album to date.