DOPAMINE DIIV

Has there been a band in the last decade more instrumental in the shoegaze/dreampop/grunge revival than New. The story of DIIV bandleader Zachary Cole Smith is one of influence, humiliation, redemption and pure artistic catharsis. With 2016’s masterful , the group doubled down on their Joy Divisionmeets-Slowdive template that has inspired countless groups on both sides of the Pacific since. Lead single carries most of its emotional weight up front with winding, clean guitar riffs and hooky, evocative licks. Cole is known to prefer solid-body electrics, and has been spotted wielding a number of Fenders over the years including Mustangs, Jaguars, Duo Sonics and Cyclones. His amp set-up has remained fairly consistent, favouring a Roland JC-120 combo, whilst his pedalboard is known to have included numerous delays and choruses from Boss, Electro-Harmonix and Earthquaker Devices.