Shoreline Fuses Hardcore And Pop-Punk in New Full-Length LP, ‘Is This The Low Point Or The Moment After?’
Emerging just above the underground, Shoreline’s courageous leap from tradition does them tremendous favors. Their fourth LP, Is This The Low Point Or The Moment After, questions both reality and convention—asking listeners to think about things more deeply. Thought-provoking and sonically vast, the record consciously implements tools that might go unnoticed when focused on fitting in. Arguably, this is the album’s emotional thesis; the lyrical narrative positions itself as hyper-aware, questioning everything while pushing forward.
Vulnerability is scary for many. It’s hard to open up in a world that views everyone under a microscope. One mistake, and everything could change, but Shoreline doesn’t fear that potential. Instead, they harness it, with songs like “Phantom Pain” acknowledging that struggles won’t ever fully go away, but the way people grow from them becomes more significant. The melodic sensibility within it enables the hardcore elements, like rugged guitars and chesty screams, to feel integrated rather than forced.
That’s Shoreline’s whole bit—they mean what they say. This could even be applied to their sonic choices. Reverberated riffs introduce some songs peacefully, like in “Worry Count,” before they erupt into catharsis. There’s quite a bit of magic found within genre-blending that doesn’t come across as gimmicky. In “Worry Count,” lyricism also shines: “I got my mistakes/just like you,/I can’t stop thinking about them all.” While “relatable” has become something of a cliche, the way Shoreline approaches relatability works. Most of us don’t have a body count, but most of us certainly have a “worry count.”
With the rise of artists like Arm’s Length, Shoreline’s presence fits like a glove. They are, evidently, curating a space in the scene that makes sense for them. Some bands are more known for lyricism, while others are hailed for solid musicianship. Shoreline, however, sits at a healthy middle ground, much like the band’s peers.
Certain lines hit like a gut punch, whether they are deep diving into mental health themes or processing a rough breakup. “Brittle Bond” focuses on the latter, but it still deviates from the formula many breakup songs follow. Their take suggests both parties had a part to play, but they are willing to accept that it’s over, while striving to be better after it. The first step in achieving this goal is acceptance, so Shoreline is far ahead of the curve—a pattern seen throughout their career.
There’s a fascinating wave the audience follows throughout Is This The Low Point Or The Moment After?. Initially, the record tapers off, sinking deeper into melancholy, especially with “Sweet Spot.” Its bitter sarcasm feels all the more intense after finishing “Brittle Bond.” However, it begins to pick up again, finding glimmers of hope even in the darkest of times. That’s how life goes for many; there are times when you’re at the top of the wave, and others when you may feel overwhelmed by it.
“Forgive” featuring Joe Taylor, showcases this nuance well. It’s among the more hardcore-leaning tracks sonically, but lyrically, it follows the same pattern. The band audibly apologizes to someone they hurt, in the only way they know how. Accompanied vocals add depth and strength to an already vulnerable moment. This is among the record’s standout tracks.
Ultimately, Is This The Low Point Or The Moment After? gracefully explores a wide range of both human emotions and sonic possibilities. By breaking genre conventionality, Shoreline has expertly curated something that works for them. As therapeutic as the record is to listen to, one can only imagine how freeing it must have been to write. That’s when you know you’ve penned real magic.