Form Album Review

Words by Amanda Ratcliffe

The name Die! Die! Die! surely brings to mind all kinds of evil, but there is certainly nothing nasty about their latest album to hit the shelves, Form. Known for their impressive on stage performances, and energetic music, the band have done their fans from ‘back in the day’ proud with their recent announcement – signing to iconic kiwi record label, Flying Nun. With this, they’ve seen a ridiculous amount of interviews and press releases, which is attracting a whole new lot of attention right here in NZ. The lads have admitted in the past that they do better overseas than in their own country, but I reckon this is the album to change all that.

Covered with rainbow stripes, which were projected onto a wall at front man, Andrew Wilson’s house, the band’s latest work looks exactly as it sounds. It’s colorful, textured and more cheerful than previous releases by the guys who formed in Dunedin back in 2003.

Track one on the disc titled Caseman is easily loveable for first time listeners, and will give old fans a taste of where the band are headed. It’s fresh and shows that these guys are ready to hit an entirely new market with their evolving sound. Lil Ships is extremely danceable as are most of the tunes on this infectious album. At one of their shows whilst on tour around the country, it was wicked to see that others felt the same kickin’ up their fancy heals and getting amongst it. There is something So So Modern about How Ye and Paquin, making these absolute standouts on the disc for me. 

A snippet of shoe-gaze comes with Daze, which I’m personally not so fond of, and can’t see where it fits into the grand scheme of things  Thank goodness they’ve followed it up with their uber popular first single from the album, We Built Our Own Oppresors.

Wasted Lands is fast, fun and bouncy and I can see this turning into a hit single if it gets released – especially to all those Mint Chicks connoisseurs out there. The entire list of tunes is tied together by Frame, which the album was originally going to be titled. Boasting wonderfully mysterious lyrics and slower music, this is a brilliant wind-down after an energy packed near forty minutes. The lads are certainly on form (see what I did there?) with this release and will have you jiving from start to finish. Forget about the evil nasties for a bit and get some Die! Die! Die! in ya’.  MmmMmm…tasty.