Deep Sea Diver have been a fixture since the release of their EP ‘New Caves’ in 2009. Their debut LP followed in 2012. The Seattle group returns with their first album since 2020, the much anticipated Billboard Heart. Vocalist and Jessica Dobson has worked with some marquee names from Beck to The Shins. It feels in many ways like the group has never been away, delivering an album that fans will devour.
The title track really kicks things off in emphatic fashion, grandiose and epic, a real welcome back and statement of intent that fans are sure to lap up. Dobson and Elliot Jackson’s guitar work sublime throughout.
‘What Do I Know’, driven by pounding bass and drums before Dobson’s vocals come in is full of punchy energy. Each member is given an opportunity to shine with swirling guitars in the middle section and synths also present. There is a lot going on but it never drowns in its ambition, finding the right level of chaos.
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‘Emergency’ kicks off with a riff that feels like a call to arms, propulsive and full of life, a throwback to the acts of the early 00s. It is hard to resist its muscley groove. As on other track’s Dobson’s vocals do a lot of heavy lifting helping keep momentum.
‘Loose Change’ is more stripped back almost indie-folk, with a more acoustic timbre and stripped-back vocals. It builds to a soaring middle before finishing in the more folky style. It shows the group’s versatility, bringing a sense of calming amidst the swirling sounds found elsewhere. ‘See In The Dark’ meanwhile brings more of a blues flavour with its opening riff.
‘Billboard Heart’ is a comeback that will really resonate with Deep See Diver’s fanbase, it sees the group at the top of their game delivering an ambitious, eclectic eleven tracks that really showcase Jessica Dobson and co’s songwriting and musicianship. There is plenty to unpack with plenty of anthemic moments but also moments of calm that help the epic tracks to soar even more. Dobson’s vocals and guitar work are both captivating throughout in a record that rarely has a dull moment and is full of spirit and spark from start to finish.
7/10
Words: Christopher Connor
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