{
  "id": 17252405,
  "title": "DIIV Talks Revolution, ‘The Spirit of Rebuilding’ and the ‘Cowardice’ of Artists Who Refuse to Speak Out",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/diiv-talks-revolution-the-spirit-of-rebuilding-and-the-cowardice-of",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-30T16:16:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Billboard",
    "slug": "billboard",
    "url": "https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/diiv-zirp-interview-1236370691/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "DIIV, a band fronted by Zachary Cole Smith, have faced numerous challenges over their 15-year indie rock career. The group, known for their heavy sound on Deceiver (2019) and the socio-political shoegaze of Frog In Boiling Water (2024), has now pivoted with their new album ZIRP! (Zero Interest Rate Policies). ZIRP! features candy-colored art, memorable hooks, and bright melodies, showcasing the band's willingness to challenge themselves while staying mindful of their bottom line.\n\nThe album's title refers to the post-recession cheap money that led to wealth inequality in the Western world. DIIV's previous work was more polemic, but ZIRP! is immediate, kinetic, and singalong. When playing \"Trillions\" during live shows, guitarist Colin Caulfield is half-kidding as the band's video for the track features a mock Rolling Stone headline. Smith, Caulfield, Andrew Bailey, and Ben Newman are embracing a new pop sound while maintaining their wit and irony.\n\nOn track \"Trillions,\" Smith raps about material dreams, while \"The Crash\" calls for billionaires to be thrown into an alligator pit. \"Dare Me\" and the redemptive closer \"Idiot In the Sky\" offer hope for societal reset. The album is a testament to rebirth and rebuilding, both for the band and frontman Cole Smith, who faced personal adversity with the loss of their home and possessions in the Eaton Fire in January 2025.\n\nIn a week leading up to the release of ZIRP!, Smith shared that the band played several new tracks live, such as \"My Star\" and \"The Crash,\" which received a positive response. DIIV's quick turnaround between albums, only two and a half years after their last release, is remarkable considering the turmoil they've experienced. Smith believes this hard reset allowed the band to embrace fun, play, and a sense of purpose, ultimately leading to the creation of ZIRP!.",
  "summary": "After losing his home in the Los Angeles fires, frontman Zachary Cole Smith teamed up with A.G. Cook for the band's kinetic album ZIRP!",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}