Dashed To Shivers finetune their robust indie-rock sonics in the sophomore album "Undertow."

Emotions run high in Dashed To Shivers' "Undertow": zippy drums and towering guitar riffs are nearly constant on this album. It's more than the usual punk rock we are used to hearing around, rather burgeoning into other interesting sub-genres for good measure to stand out truly. The uprising band transcends beyond usual stylistic thresholds, dipping fully into the indie-rock spirit with defining qualities like passion and creative thrust. Over forty-some minutes, the collection of tracks is laced with adrenaline-coursing arrangements, never compromising on the underlying sentiments that humanize them.

From the flatlands of the Münsterland, the quartet eventually grew from its founding two members, Dominik (guitars) and Steve (drums), to include Sebastian (vocals) and André (guitars) later after several changes in the line-up. Each member brings a cumulative experience; from encompassing film soundtracks to thrashing metal, the said contributors have worked on a wide spectrum of genres prior. Naturally, this doesn't escape their discography either— curious listeners will notice the blend of electronic music with punk/hard rock, thus adopting a distinctive indie/alternative signature.

Their previous releases have earned admiration from critics, with notable ones being the pensive number "Hollywood" (focusing on a nostalgic, despondent theme about broken dreams) and "Echo," which develops from a textural intro into full-blown, unfettered choruses.

"Undertow" doesn't waste any second to be forthright about its cynical inclinations— in fact, from the opening "Dry My Tears," the buzzing guitars and manic guitars interlace with vocal growls, nevertheless with melodic verses where the moments of wistfulness come up: it's purely cathartic, unabashedly sentimental if not full-blown emo. On the titular "Undertow" that follows soon after, rampaging riffs from guitars cause havoc paired with a strutting groove (all the while sounding ominous with its moody chord progression). Respite arrives in the form of "CCS": a display of the band's production ingenuity, the post-rock interlude incorporates scattered drums and delayed, atmospheric melodies.

A riveting act is unveiled during "Lazarus" with morbid lyricism (as the emphatic choruses make that abundantly clear), with an impactful hook leveraging the rugged, melodic guitars and cascading rhythms. In between, there are the calmer, more electronic sequences (even introducing a slick drum machine groove and synth riff at one point). More uncanniness follows in "Breathe" with a contorted piano intro, straightaway transitioning into raw-throated vocals and whipping ensemble (with abrupt changes into stripped-back bridges). Lastly, idiosyncratic finale "Why/Failed" holds more indie-pop ambitions as the trap-like groove melds into rock segments, retaining gloominess with the melancholic and heartbroken vocals.

Listen to "Undertow" on Spotify, and follow Dashed To Shivers on their website and Instagram.