DIIV

DIIV formed in Brooklyn in 2011, led by Zachary Cole Smith's vision of shoegaze reimagined through the lens of jangle pop and post-punk. Smith and guitarist Andrew Bailey construct interlocking guitar lines that prioritize crystalline clarity over the genre's typical wall-of-noise approach, creating a sound that is dense but never muddy. Their debut Oshin drew comparisons to Captured Tracks labelmates and the C86 movement, but subsequent albums Deceiver and Frog in Boiling Water revealed a band pushing into heavier, more abrasive territory while retaining melodic sophistication. Smith's Fender Jazzmaster runs through chains of reverb and chorus pedals that create a shimmering, aquatic quality — guitars that sound submerged rather than buried. Colin Caulfield's bass provides melodic counterpoint rather than simple root-note support, while Ben Newman's drumming balances restraint with propulsive energy. DIIV's live performances are notably louder and more aggressive than their studio recordings suggest, revealing shoegaze's influence on their dynamic approach. The band's evolution from dreamy jangle pop toward noisier, more emotionally confrontational songwriting mirrors the trajectory of many classic shoegaze acts.