Once a shoegazer, always a shoegazer! Here we are again with Zachary Cole Smith, a tortured ambassador of well-made dream pop, who has taken the time – between two spells in rehab – to follow up on his excellent Is the is Are released in 2016. Interlacing his voice with dreamlike guitars, muffled vocals and beautiful melodies, the DIIV leader knows his classics and proves it throughout Deceiver, an even more intimate record than usual. He defines this third studio album as “the soundtrack to personal resurrection under the heavy weight of metallic catharsis”. Some tracks such as Like Before You Were Born, containing strong influences from My Bloody Valentine, show that his brain is still somewhat foggy. Others, such as Skin Game, show his more serene side. In any case, DIIV’s third album just goes to show that the Brooklyn combo are one of the best in their field. © Max Dembo/Qobuz