DIIV named its debut album, Oshin, appropriately, as most musical elements seem coated in splashy, rippling echoes. Because of this, the vocals tend to sound more like pillowy instruments rather than lyrical tools. They’re often accompanied by two electric guitars which cut through most of the other ambient elements with consistent rhythm in most songs. The album doesn’t break much from this pattern. On occasion, a new element will emerge, such as a flute-sounding synth or added distortion to the guitars, but for the most part, each song sticks to a steady rhythm and ultimately makes the album repetitive. However, this distinctive and consistent sound isn’t necessarily a bad thing; the album is so pleasant sounding that each song seemingly meshes together into a single, very listenable piece.
B+