Deceiver
Deceiver gives DIIV's soft singing and dreamy guitars a heavier foundation. The distortion sounds fuller and the songs allow larger differences between quiet and loud passages. Melody still matters. There are enough clearly shaped songs to direct the dark atmosphere, even when the guitars occupy considerable space. The heavier sound has a purpose beyond adding force.
Like Before You Were Born and For the Guilty demonstrate that relationship well. Strong melodic lines remain present when the distorted guitars open up. The weight makes the music more affecting without removing its softness. DIIV mainly use the harder approach to increase the emotional contrasts. The quieter sections consequently matter as much as the outbursts, giving the louder playing something to answer.
Blankenship brings greater momentum. Persistent rhythmic movement and sharply angled guitar lines give the track a strong individual shape. When the guitars push harder, it feels like an extension of the existing tension. Skin Game likewise keeps enough movement inside its dense sound to hold attention. Both show how accessible this heavier version of the band can remain without smoothing away all its discomfort.
Between Tides and Lorelei take more time. The former has a gentle but unsettled mood; the latter allows its weight to develop more slowly. Acheron spends just over seven minutes extending the darker sound at the end. The record does not need to add new ingredients constantly to keep developing its ideas.
The quiet singing sometimes disappears far enough into the mix that the words lose immediate impact. Slower passages also require attention to smaller changes. Listeners seeking quick variety may not find everything equally easy. Yet Deceiver has enough force and melody to reward that patience. Its heavier guitars strengthen the songs instead of simply making them larger.
