ALBUM REVIEW: DITZ – Never Exhale

‘…it is how the band have contorted and distorted their own formula that makes ‘Never Exhale’ so compelling; it’s the nightmarish reflection of a band ceaselessly in motion…’

From their inception in 2016, Brighton-based five-piece DITZ have never seemed interested in conforming to expectations or normality. Between intense live-performances that have captivated audiences across the globe, to a truly incendiary debut record in the form of ‘The Great Regression’, the band have become cult icons of the noise rock scene.

The band’s capacity for never slowing down has manifested itself in their sophomore record. ‘Never Exhale’ represents a hurtling dive into the dark whirlwind of underground stardom, set against a backdrop of existential dread. When you press play, hold your breath; DITZ won’t be letting you come up for air before the end.

From the instrumental opening, ‘V70‘, DITZ make one thing clear: this album is going to be a weird listen. The band could have continued exactly where their debut left off, or perhaps even softened their sound somewhat, and have received positive reviews; a collection of talented musicians such as this feel destined to always produce music that is at the very least a palatable listen. Yet instead, DITZ have pushed their sound into increasingly experimental, claustrophobic, and uncomfortable territories, and the results are terrifyingly brilliant.

‘Taxi Man‘ is buoyed by a swaggering groove, as vocalist C.A. Francis paints the picture of a tense taxi ride with a driver who seems to have crept straight from a psychological thriller movie. Bass lines bound forth with a controlled coolness, whilst a crushing drone bridge alludes to a revving engine. ‘Four‘ alternates between screeching minimalist guitars to danceable, bombastic riffs, decorated by electrifying electronic noises.

The claustrophobic, dread-soaked nature of this record is perfectly exemplified in the haunting lyricism of ‘Senor Siniestro’. Francis cuts a tense, weary figure, crushed by the weight of their own existence, their gravelly tones lending the perfect amount of melancholy to witty, twisted bars, such as the brilliant ‘I feel like Death/I wonder if he feels like me’.

‘Smells Like Something Died in Here‘ shuns any pretences of catchiness in favour of being one long claustrophobic, cacophonous crescendo, as instruments loop and build beneath Francis’ repeated declaration of the track’s title. In equal measures, the track can easily be perceived a simple recollection of one of the many dive hostels the band have endured on the road, or a scathing, darkly witty look at the stagnancy of modern society. It is perhaps the track on the record that you will revisit the least, with its disconcerting nature and lack of tangible structure, yet ironically this atmospheric beast offers the best example of DITZ’s musical brilliance; this is noise rock with the emphasis on the ‘noise’.

That terrifying musicianship continues onto the panic attack that is ‘18 Wheeler‘, with its discordant tones, jagged structure, and jarring climax that offers genuine jump-scare potential, as guitars and percussion thrust from some dark unknown. Despite the album’s raw and abrasive nature, there is a consistent cinematic undertone to the band’s music; ‘Never Exhale’ feels like a black hole, sucking you in to some eternal unknown.

It is unquestionable that those who enjoyed DITZ’s previous work will still find this body of work enjoyable; the acerbic wit and monstrous soundscapes that marked the band out as something special to begin with remains present throughout their latest venture. However, it is how the band have contorted and distorted their own formula that makes ‘Never Exhale’ so compelling; it’s the nightmarish reflection of a band ceaselessly in motion.

DITZ have always been a special band, and ‘Never Exhale’ makes that fact clearer than ever before. Don’t be surprised if you begin to see their name a lot more often.

RATING: 81/100 – Very Good

For Fans Of: Death Grips, Benefits, Swans, Chat Pile,

Physical copies of the album are available to purchase here.

Follow the band on social media below:

Instagram // Spotify