REVIEW

The fourth album from Hamburg, Germany dream-punk/shoegaze duo Seasurfer.

Formed in Hamburg in 2013 around Dirk Knight, Seasurfer initially built their sound around a dreamlike wall of sound rooted in dream pop and shoegaze across their first two releases. Since their third album, however, the duo have gradually leaned further into electronic territory, and this album pushes that direction even further. Minimal electronic beats, organic synthesizer textures, and heavily reverberated guitars intertwine throughout the record, effortlessly moving between dream pop, shoegaze, darkwave, and post-punk while carrying an atmosphere reminiscent of ’80s new wave.

Vocals are once again handled by Apolonia following the previous album “Zombies.” Her hazy voice drifts across the album like a pale fog, creating a mysterious and decadent mood evocative of a David Lynch film.

Among the album’s highlights, #3 “Get Burned” stands out with its powerful post-punk groove, making it one of the record’s most danceable moments. #8 “The Short Term Effect” reimagines a song by The Cure, one of the duo’s most cherished influences. Through a floating electronic arrangement, Seasurfer preserve the shadowy atmosphere of the original while reshaping it into something distinctly their own.

Listeners drawn to Cocteau Twins, The Cure, and Drab Majesty should pay close attention to this release. The duo are also set to resume live performances in 2026 for the first time in several years. Considering their close ties with Buzz Kull — Apolonia notably wore a Buzz Kull T-shirt on the cover artwork for “Zombies” — there is also reason to hope for a future Japan appearance through connections surrounding the HANDS AND MOMENT scene.