DIIV and A.G. Cook rock new LP ZIRP

After a period of quiet anticipation, the New York-based band DIIV has unveiled their latest musical chapter following the acclaimed 2024 LP Frog in Boiling Water. This new release signals a fascinating evolution, moving beyond the boundaries of shoegaze into a bolder sonic territory.

The group is set to follow up with their fifth album, ZIRP!, scheduled for release on October 30 through Fantasy Records. The album’s launch will be headlined by the electrifying single “The Fountain,” which serves as an early preview of the band’s sharpened new sound.

Under the guidance of producer A.G. Cook, known for crafting anthemic sounds with artists like Charli xcx and Caroline Polachek, ZIRP! is pushing DIIV further into “The New Alternative.” Frontman Zachary Cole Smith and the bandmates—Andrew Bailey, Colin Caulfield, and Ben Newman—are embracing a sound characterized by towering guitars and captivating noise, while simultaneously honing the melodic instincts that have always resided beneath their music.

“The Fountain” immediately demonstrates this transformation. The track balances DIIV’s signature atmospheric haze with an unexpected propulsive rhythm, creating something both familiar and immediately arresting. The album title itself nods to the zero interest rate era—a period that fueled Silicon Valley’s boom—which Smith uses as a framework for exploring themes of technology, streaming culture, and modern alienation.

Cook noted that his approach to the record deviated from traditional digital deconstruction. Instead of relying purely on computer manipulation, he immersed himself in the band’s live chemistry, prioritizing raw performances, especially the textures of live drums and guitars, which ultimately shaped the album’s depth.

The promotional campaign for Frog in Boiling Water had also been anything but subtle. DIIV garnered attention through an unconventional pre-release strategy, collaborating with Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst in a video for “Brown Paper Bag” and creating mock advertisements for the corporate entity Soul-net, highlighting the band’s willingness to engage with broader cultural satire.

Anticipation is building for the new material. DIIV will preview ZIRP! at Brazil’s Balaclava Fest on September 27 before embarking on a run of North American dates with Interpol in October. They will also bring the energy to a standalone show with Basement at Los Angeles’ Shrine Expo Hall on October 20.