When Portland punk band Arctic Flowers began working on a follow-up to their 2014 album Weaver, they did so by thinking long and hard about their goals, taking more time to write songs, infusing more creative ideas into said songs, and being more deliberate about their art.

“Our intention,” explains drummer Cliff Martin, “was to not repeat the same record again.”

In a recent interview, lead singer Alex Carroccio and guitarist Stan Wright worked their way through a cooking analogy to explain the band’s approach: “Every song was dissected and thought through in a sort of pressure cooker, well-baked,” Carroccio says.

“More like a crock-pot,” interjects Wright.

“Yeah,” Carroccio says with a laugh. “Heavily seasoned and slow-cooked. Some changed completely six months after they were written and are different beasts than they were at the beginning.”

Arctic Flowers worked hard to nail down every sound, every beat, and every arrangement of their taut and shadowy post-punk, and the result is Straight to the Hunter, the band’s third album. It’s an unquestionable step forward for Arctic Flowers—it’s bigger and brighter than their past work, with punchier rhythms, more prominent vocals, and a spotlight aimed directly at Carroccio’s melodies and Wright’s jagged guitar jangle. Hunter also benefits from mixing by local studio wizard (and Toxic Holocaust frontman) Joel Grind.

“It definitely feels like a more modern style of mix, and more of a pop direction,” Wright says. “We have strong melodies and good hooks. We really wanted to feature Alex’s vocals, and I think they’re more up front this time.”

Don’t be mistaken: Straight to the Hunter is not Arctic Flowers’ turn toward cheery sunshine-pop. The band is still anchored by its rumbling and propulsive rhythm section, made up of Martin and bassist Lee Lawrence, who sound more in sync than ever before. And Carroccio’s lyrics walk a line between 2018’s particular feeling of hopelessness and the notion that there will be a 2019; just getting there is a big part of the battle right now.

“The theme for most of these songs was brought to life by the same kind of ennui everyone is going through all over the world,” she says, “but just putting one foot in front of the other because... I don’t know. We’re still here. It’s dark, but it’s how I feel, and I think a lot of people feel that way.”

Arctic Flowers came together in 2008, when Wright, Lawrence, and a previous drummer cut a demo in hopes of finding a strong frontperson. They did exactly that when they saw Carroccio performing Avengers covers at a Halloween show—the first time she’d ever sang in public. After an audition, Carroccio joined the band, and Arctic Flowers has been chugging along ever since.

Over the past decade, the band has had a front-row seat for the changes that have affected Portland in recent years. But the members of Arctic Flowers don’t feel the same sort of negativity toward the city or its scene that you might hear from other artists.

“We’re pretty lucky to have the community we do, as far as our practice space and the venues we play,” Carroccio says. “That really fosters an ability to keep playing that Portland music that’s fueled by dark skies and long nights.”

The key word in Carroccio’s statement is “community,” a point underlined by Lawrence.

“Growing up listening to punk music—or any music that’s inspiring—it’s not always the most happy music,” she says. “But it does help you feel like you’re part of something bigger.”