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Is the Is Are
by
Is the Is Are Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 52 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length release for the Brooklyn-based indie rock band led by Zachary Cole Smith was self-recorded and produced.
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Top Track

Healthy Moon
How could i describe This fading dream? You turned and looked a way It goes around getting louder now Believe it Freezes love that way Name the song... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Paste Magazine
    Feb 9, 2016
    87
    The record as a whole is a listen that’s both inviting and challenging, and it seems like it’s one that’ll keep returning rewards for a long time.
  2. Boston Globe
    Feb 5, 2016
    80
    The buoyancy at the center of the open-road-ready “Dopamine,” subtly urgent “Yr Not Far,” and chiming “Loose Ends” makes the 17 tracks drift by like a breeze on a particularly carefree spring day.
  3. Under The Radar
    Jan 29, 2016
    80
    Is The Is Are, more than any album in a long time, feels like a great and immersive book, with the band further describing a new world with each track. [Jan/Feb 2016, p.55]
  4. Exclaim
    Jun 2, 2016
    80
    There will no doubt be some making the age-old "less is more" argument that comes with any double LP, but that shouldn't overshadow the fact that DIIV have returned with a powerful, immersive sophomore album.
  5. Rolling Stone
    Feb 8, 2016
    70
    Over 17 sprawling songs, the album seeks to split the difference between music that induces a woozy rush and brutally honest lyrics about trying to keep one's head on straight.
  6. The Skinny
    Jan 29, 2016
    60
    Repeat visits are sure to unearth more of the band’s thought process, but there's a lingering sense that less could've been so much more.
  7. PopMatters
    Feb 1, 2016
    40
    At its best, Is the Is Are is a fine album with plenty of immediate pleasures to offer. However, digging deeper won’t unveil anything really tangible.

See all 25 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. cnally13
    Feb 23, 2016
    9
    Can't believe the lukewarm response. They're students of the Doug Martsch school of guitar, really perfecting that woozy guitar lick. It'sCan't believe the lukewarm response. They're students of the Doug Martsch school of guitar, really perfecting that woozy guitar lick. It's dizzy and cocksure. Very rarely boring even though it's mostly a shoegaze revival album. Lyrical content is belied by the lazy-sounding melodies, which is great since you have to uncover the meaning instead of it being delivered straight to you. Highly recommended… Expand
  2. atmosphericrex
    Feb 14, 2016
    8
    People seem to dislike this record because it is not all that dynamic and a lot of what DIIV has already done. It's hard to dispute that. But,People seem to dislike this record because it is not all that dynamic and a lot of what DIIV has already done. It's hard to dispute that. But, they're doing what they usually do very well and it sounds great. It's not profound, but it's not trying to be, and it is very entertaining. Dopamine is addictive ;).… Expand
  4. surf1ngthevoid
    Nov 15, 2020
    8
    DIIV second full-length finds a band moving forward meanwhile trying to keep in contact with their roots. With songs that may not be soDIIV second full-length finds a band moving forward meanwhile trying to keep in contact with their roots. With songs that may not be so "memorable" into the first listens; the more you are into it, the more you want to come back to each one.… Expand
  5. diegonelli
    Feb 16, 2016
    7
    After years, DIIV final comeback. Nothing changed comparing it to Oshin, but I still like this album. My favorite song is definitely BlueAfter years, DIIV final comeback. Nothing changed comparing it to Oshin, but I still like this album. My favorite song is definitely Blue Boredom, Sky vocals are really good. Dopamine is a good song also.… Expand

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