Daughter transcends what the music industry refers to as a “sophomore slump.” Powerful and cathartic, “Not to Disappear,” its second and latest album by the indie-dream-pop band, is both dreamy and intense. Daughter takes opposites and entwines them until they are inseparable.

These contradictions captivate and guarantee the listener’s investment in the music, resulting in a psychological shift that occurs with each change in sound.

“New Ways” builds up tension that breaks like a wave at high tide unlike “Fossa,” which is soft-around-the-edges.

Several repeated themes, such as the sound pulsating waves in “Numbers” and “Alone/With You” make listeners feel the vibe down to their fingertips.

Haunting images of deserted cities and silent waters in “I have lost my children/I have lost my love” contrast with the faster-paced “No Care” that has a driving heartbeat-like percussion that feels defiant.

During “To Belong,” a sudden drop of instrumentation forces the listener to feel exhaustion and emptiness that often accompanies these post-apocalyptic scenes.

At several moments throughout the album, the instrumentation nearly overpowers the vocals in a wonderfully overwhelming way, but it can go too far at times.

Yet it’s this combination of built-up tension and  unearthly sounds that create an enthrallingly wordless story within the album. The softer sounds never sacrifice anything in terms of the album’s power.