DIIV, the renowned purveyors of shoegaze since their inception in 2011, have unveiled a mesmerizing new track that envelops listeners in a hazy daydream tinged with bittersweet melancholy. The latest single, a precursor to their forthcoming album titled "Frog in Boiling Water," offers a swirling blend of subdued vocals, swirling guitars that alternately soothe and fray the edges of the track, and melodies that sweep listeners into a sugary embrace.
Comprising Andrew Bailey, Colin Caulfield, Ben Newman, and Zachary Cole Smith, DIIV has been generating buzz with their recent endeavors, ranging from unexpected collaborations (including that infamous Fred Durst video!) to commanding audiences across the UK and EU. Emerging from the mysterious depths of their newly launched website FIBW.org (formerly Soul-net.co), the band's latest offering showcases their knack for melding chaos and clarity into a beguilingly disorienting sonic experience.
"Frog In Boiling Water," produced under the helm of Chris Coady, was a laborious four-year journey that nearly tore the band asunder before its completion. Striving to push their sonic boundaries, challenge themselves, and embrace a democratic approach to their creative process, DIIV embarked on an ambitious odyssey, both individually and collectively. This odyssey strained their interpersonal relationships, with the intricate dynamics of family, friendship, and finances becoming entwined amidst suspicions, resentments, bruised egos, and existential questions. Yet, they persevered, birthing 10 tracks that plumb new depths, intertwining lyrical and musical motifs to craft a reflective and immersive sonic tapestry. It stands as a mesmerizing testament to resilience, envisioning possibilities beyond the present while navigating the murky waters of the now.
The album's title, "Frog in Boiling Water," and its thematic underpinnings draw inspiration from Daniel Quinn's "The Story of B," specifically the metaphor of "The Boiling Frog." Reflecting on this concept, the band elucidates, "We understand the metaphor to be one about a slow, sick, and overwhelmingly banal collapse of society under end-stage capitalism, the brutal realities we’ve maybe come to accept as normal. That’s the boiling water and we are the frogs." The album serves as a mosaic of snapshots depicting various facets of modern existence, offering poignant insights into the human condition amidst the slow burn of societal decay.
