(2020) Deep Sea Diver - Impossible Weight


Review:
“Do I have to be strong enough? I don’t know what to do. Lying there wide awake, fears that I couldn’t shake”. These are among the opening lines of Deep Sea Diver’s Impossible Weight. Led by singer and musician Jessica Dobson, the band’s third album is a well-thought-out and balanced indie record that fearlessly explores modern anxiety through rocky, and often ethereal, instrumentalism. With Dobson as the former lead guitarist for bands such as Beck and The Shins, it’s no surprise that Impossible Weight is instrumentally complex and explorative. From hypnotic and twinkling trance-like builds to full-on distortion, the ensemble’s impressive range is refreshing to hear. The album is extremely varied: there’s the titular track, a soaring collaboration with singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten armed with a strong beat and rocky edge; then there’s the thumping synth of People Come and Go; and Lightning Bolts, with its crisp percussion and energetic, fun disco vibe. All are compelling and catchy in their own right as the songs masterfully manage the different layers and arrangements, coupled with an effortless blend of harmonies and compelling falsetto – all thanks to Dobson and co-producer Andy D Park. Contemplative and at times tense thematic threads run through the collection, with some tracks carrying more weight. Eyes are Red (Don’t be Afraid), for instance, spans over seven minutes and features experimental, explosive guitar break-outs. Repeated lines hammer home varying statements like “you’re driving me into the ground” or “don’t be afraid” – yet they somehow avoid sounding repetitive, contributing to each song’s journey instead. Deeply introspective and even poetic overtones are expressed through songs about depression, loneliness and even violence. However, the album displays the light at the end of the dark tunnel. The acoustic Run Away with Me showcases a softer side to the singer’s vocals alongside the lyrics “gotta climb that mountain in your mind”, ending on a beautifully delicate, hopeful note. 2020 has been a prominent year for critically acclaimed female-fronted indie music like Phoebe Bridgers, and Deep Sea Diver has earned a spot in the same league. There’s an impressive breadth packed into ten tracks. Overall, it’s a pensive but powerful album that can be enjoyed for its production, lyrics and mesmerising textures. For a seemingly impossible weight, it’s a pretty full package.


Tracklist:
01. Shattering the Hourglass
02. Lights Out
03. Wishing
04. Impossible Weight (feat. Sharon Van Etten)
05. Switchblade
06. Hurricane
07. Eyes Are Red (Don't Be Afraid)
08. People Come, People Go
09. Lightning Bolts
10. Run Away With Me


Media Report:
Genre: indie-pop, indie-rock
Format: FLAC
Format/Info: Free Lossless Audio Codec, 16-bit PCM
Bit rate mode: Variable
Channel(s): 2 channels
Sampling rate: 44.1 KHz
Bit depth: 16 bits