Is the Is Are
by DIIV
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 52 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 52
  3. Negative: 5 out of 52
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  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'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. HighlyCan'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, 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 ;).
  3. 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 Blue Boredom, Sky vocals are really good. Dopamine is a good song also.
  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 so "memorable" into the first listens; the more you are into it, the more you want to come back to each one.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. 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.
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  2. musicOMH.com
    Feb 16, 2016
    70
    The end result is highly accomplished, viscerally honest and at times hypnotically beautiful, even if it ultimately doesn’t quite live up to its creator’s ambition.
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  3. 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.
    Read full review
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