Undertow is the second album release from Dashed To Shivers, an alternative synth rock band who we’re discovering for the first time.
By Graeme Smith
Founded in Münsterland, Germany in 2018 by guitarist Dominik and drummer Steve, the band’s line-up was completed by André on guitar and Sebastian on vocals. The addition of synth to their compositions was originally meant as a stopgap, but soon became part of their signature sound.
It’s a sound that proves instantly captivating in their new album Undertow. It’s at once typical hard rock and something distinctive indefinable. Dry My Tears starts the album off in a raucous way, trading big instrumental swells with lowkey verses before giving us the full effect in an anthemic chorus. It’s an early highlight.
Other highlights include hefty, pleading title track Undertow, the emo-infused Shadow of the Sun, the swaggering, driving Cobras in Fire, the moody, dystopian Soylent Green, and the rousing Breath. No Future will have you up and moving while Why/Failed closes the album in thoughtful, slow-building style.
Dashed To Shivers bring so many different kinds of rock together with their new album, but it never loses its coherency. Add that to their own unique compositional twists and turns, and you’ve got yourself something really exciting.
Undertow is out now and you can give it a listen below.