ALBUM REVIEW: Shoreline – Is This The Low Point Or The Moment After?

‘…the energy that Shoreline carry themselves with across the span of this album is that of a band with the entire world at their feet..’

Emerging from Münster back in 2015, Shoreline are a four-piece that started out honing their craft within the city’s DIY punk scene, and gained traction thanks to tours with the likes of Four Year Strong and Silverstein. Their third record, ‘To Figure Out’, lead to the band signing with Pure Noise Records, joining the likes of Knocked Loose and Arm’s Length.

Having recently joined the latter of these label mates on a tour of the UK and mainland Europe, Shoreline have been building towards the release of their fourth full length record, ‘Is This The Low Point Or The Moment After?’. The band offered fans the bold opportunity to purchase the record on vinyl during this tour, and with the record supported by a strong live set, it was hard not to find the band’s confidence compelling. Now that the record has been widely released, there is no doubt that early adopters will have found their purchase worth it

‘Is This The Low Point[…]’ may be far from the band’s debut record, but the energy that Shoreline carry themselves with across the span of this album is that of a band with the entire world at their feet. Bold and unapologetic throughout, the band maintain a thrilling sense of momentum as they leap from one pop-punk banger to the next; they may not revolutionise the emo rulebook, but it damn well sounds like they may have written.

‘Sweet Spot’ is an immediate highlight, with its bittersweet melodies and bold pop choruses serving as a truly devilish ear-worms. Hansol Seung’s somewhat restrained yet deeply melodic vocal style works perfectly against the rollicking whirlwind of an instrumental backdrop, propelled forwards by a particularly electrifying drum performance. ‘Out Of Touch’ is another banger worthy of particular praise, with a wonderful ebb and flow between sparse guitar melodies and bouncing riffs, bolted together with a simple yet wickedly effective synth hook. Seung is perfect in the role of an exasperated, desperate lover, fighting to right the ship with bittersweet vocal passages that beg you to sing along.

‘Forgive’ brings Joe Taylor of Knuckle Puck on board for a guest appearance, and ups in the aggression accordingly. Immense riffs slam down upon the listener with a real sense of gravitas, whilst Taylor’s guest appearance feels wholly complimentary to Shoreline’s style; one could easily mistake him for a second vocalist. Aggression should come as no surprise, with the band having their roots in Münster’s hardcore scene, and that is apparent on the bristling ‘Paradox Man’. Seung pushes his vocals into the territory of ferocious screams atop of a barrage of weighty riffs and moshable rhythms; the fear of accepting that he is neurodivergent against a backdrop of societal and financial pressures is palpable, working perfectly in tandem with the sense of claustrophobia the band construct musically.

Shoreline wrap up their record in tremendous fashion, with the moody yet punchy ‘Phantom Pain’. Simplistic shimmering guitars are draped atop of the bright surprise of steel dreams, whilst Seung’s vocals alternate between subdued melodies and spoken word. A bluesy guitar solo in the back half lifts the track towards a moment of ferocious catharsis, before settling down with the folksy twang of a banjo. It is a genuinely wonderful closing number that perfectly resolves the record’s themes and sonic ideas, muted in a manner that stands out.

There is only one low point on this record, and that’s the one in the title. Shoreline have put together an album that is simply essential listening for any emo and pop-punk fans. The songs are all individually substantial and enjoyable, whilst the album as a whole flows perfectly and loses absolutely no momentum; it’s an experience that gives you plenty to get your teeth into whilst ensuring you remain thoroughly entertained. Eleven years deep into their career, and the future has perhaps never looked brighter for Shoreline.

RATING: 80/100

For Fans Of: Arm’s Length, Knuckle Puck, Carly Cosgrove,

Physical copies of the record are available to purchase here.

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