The French band Djiin returns 3 years after their previous one with a new album that once again explores the sounds of Stoner, Doom, Psychedelic Rock and Prog, but not only. Titled “Mirrors“, it was released on May 03, 2024 via Klonosphere and contains five tracks including a 13-minute epic. Opener “Fish” is a burst of energy that combines stoner traits with forays into Post-Punk, creating a gritty, rich sound. The tempo changes are an added value to the sound, which is rhythmic and engaging thanks to a granitic rhythm section with deep, load-bearing basslines. The guitar offers interesting work in both riffs and phrasing, allowing the vocal to express its full potential. With the return to the opening theme, the track ends in a crescendo. The title track “Mirrors” opens with monolithic drumming, a killer bassline and scratchy guitar work. Percussive, with fine vocal interlacing and continuous tempo changes that take the sound into more Progressive territory, enhancing the band’s technique. Plots full of elaborate passages, instrumental sections inspired by the 70s but skilfully brought into a modern context. After a more delicate section in the middle section, the band develops very technical heavy textures in the second section of the song, enhancing all the instruments with with passages of fine workmanship. A distorted guitar arpeggio opens “(In the aura of my own) Sadness,” a track with a darker, deeper sound. The vocal is dynamic and expressive and fits perfectly between spoken and sung passages, following the continuous tempo changes that lead the song to explore a modern and distinctly personal Progressive. With a change, the band returns to more heavy, accelerated and acid sounds, incorporating elements of Post-Punk. The second part returns to softer, more dilated sounds between Heavy Psychedelia and more aggressive passages, thus concluding the track. “Blind” features pachydermic drumming that moves slowly but powerfully to which is added a deep bass line and an aggressive vocal. A continuous alternation of more extreme sounds and lysergic passages with the guitar as the protagonist. The accelerations show a Post-Punk attitude of the band, always with that personal touch enriched by the continuous tempo changes and elaborate structure. The final epic track “Iron Monsters,” which exceeds 13 minutes in length, opens with guitar and bass interlacing, and then develops more Prog textures. The vocals, as always, are an added value to the band’s sound, which over the course of the track develops instrumental and vocal sections that alternate perfectly, exploring all the musical facets that characterise the band’s style. Between Prog, Psychelia and forays into Heavy in some passages the band experiments with sounds and effects making this track a highlight of the album. Another good record release by this band that confirms and evolves the good things heard in the previous ones. Between Prog, Stoner, Heavy Psychdelia and forays into Post-Punk, the album is a concentrate of energy, technique and elaborate passages. The long tracks allow the band to develop their musical concept and enhance their individual and group technique. A recommended listen for all lovers of modern heavy sounds, which manages to range between different genres and styles with ease and quality.
Tracklist
01. Fish (04:39)
02. Mirrors (08:50)
03. (In the aura of my own) Sadness (09:42)
04. Blind (06:11)
05. Iron Monsters (13:02)
Lineup
Chloé Panhaleux / Vocals, Electric Harp
Allan Guyomard / Drums, Backing Vocals
Tom Penaguin / Guitar, Backing Vocals
Charlélie Pailhes / Bass, Backing Vocals
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