REVIEW

The momentum behind deer death shows no signs of slowing. The enigmatic, masked shoegaze artist has released a third album this year alone—and when demo collections and compilations are taken into account, this effectively marks their fifth release in the same span. Even by the standards of prolific contemporaries like Novulent, the pace is remarkable, and for listeners, it is very much a welcome surplus.

What continues to define deer death’s appeal is the guitar work: intensely noisy, yet consistently allowing moments of ethereal beauty to seep through the distortion. This contrast becomes even more apparent when compared to Burden, the previous collaborative release with Nextime, where the textural balance leaned differently.

Another distinguishing element is the vocal approach. Uncommon within shoegaze, the rough, unpolished delivery avoids the familiar whispery register and instead introduces a deeper strain of melancholy. It suggests a weight and presence that functions as one of deer death’s most distinctive weapons.

The album is packed with highlights. Track #1, “Nothing By Myself,” draws listeners in through the contrast between sun-dappled arpeggios and a melody steeped in quiet sorrow. “A Letter” follows, with anguished screams used sparingly as an emotional accent, while “Kill the Love” culminates in an onslaught of raw lament that feels almost physically affecting.

Among shoegaze artists emerging from TikTok-driven visibility, deer death now appears to stand alongside names such as Novulent and Wisp in terms of both output and impact. With an additional single already released after this album, it would not be surprising if yet another full-length were to surface before the year is out. For now, deer death remains an artist well worth close attention.