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

Whilst we feel that emo seems to be having a resurgence at the moment, bands such as SHORELINE are reminding us that emo never left the scene. This German emo/pop punk band is the first band to release an album on US label Pure Noise Records, and for good reason - because they seem to be creating a host of playlist adding songs whilst on their rise in popularity. Since joining pals ARMS LENGTH on tour, they have released a single from their new album Is This The Low Point Or The Moment After? and their album release is hot on its heels. 

SHORELINE are a band that like their albums to tell you something. They enjoy a narrative and focus on heartbreaking lyrics and big anthemic sounds. The album focuses on the question, when will we know that things are getting better when we feel we're at rock bottom? The opening songs Worry Count and Brittle Bond leave you with a thought provoking, melodic slow introduction blended with powerful screams and sincere vocals. As the album plays through, it feels like you are listening to a story about the realisation of the road to recovery and the journey you embark on the way there.

Is This The Low Point Or The Moment After? feels like an album of two halves in an intentional way with the song Forgive (featuring KNUCKLE PUCK vocalist JOE TAYLOR) being a turning point from hopelessness to hopefulness. Including lyrics that are shouting “I can only pray for your forgiveness 'cause I was wrong and you were right” you feel that this is a song fans will be chanting for years to come. As each song progresses through the album you feel the songs developing into a positive outlook that only an emo record can release.

Single Paradox Man is full of crashing guitars and drums, which packs a punch in under 2 minutes and leaves you wanting to hear more. The rawness of singer HANSOL SEUNG’s vocals and screams throughout not only the single, but the whole album and rips through the tracks to create a devastating hardcore sound. Each song feels full of gut wrenching emotions from start to finish that is sure to be a staple on your playlist. 

By the time you reach Out Of Touch and Good Times, the songs feel lighter, more of a heartfelt optimism, which is a touching glitter in the greyness of the world. Ending with Phantom Pain; it’s a mix of sombre vocals and crashing drums that includes the lyrics ‘I think I’m doing just fine” amongst agonising screams and juxtaposing ukulele riffs. It feels like a fever dream, but it just makes sense to create something utterly brilliant. 

SHORELINE have created an album full of catchy songs that well versed songwriters could only dream of writing. Their songs feel like a perfect blend of pop punk nostalgia mixed with a new sound that is nothing short of a record for the history books.

Score: 8/10

Is This The Low Point Or The Moment After? will be released on 13th March 2026 via Pure Noise Records.

Words: Laura Davies

Photos: Shoreline