Hailed as one of the most consistent and influential pop-Punk bands of the last decade, Chicago quintet Knuckle Puck have upped their game with their fourth full-length record, Losing What We Love (Pure Noise Records). The album pushes the band’s envelope while simultaneously pulling from the oldest songwriting tricks they are known and loved for.
Lead single “Groundhog Day” provided a generous sneak peek of this with its soothing harmonies and tonal contrast, all without giving too much away. Then they put out “The Tower”, clarifying the range the album would hold with its thick, stormy guitars and heated vocal trade-offs between Joe Taylor and Nick Casasanto. The chorus stays true to the song title with its towering energy and the vocal chemistry between the two singers shining brighter than ever. When their voices come together for the impassioned chant of “Face the unknown, a future with no throne”, the crowd rowdiness at future shows becomes inevitable for this one.
The more you spin “Act Accordingly”, the more convincing it becomes as one the best Knuckle Puck songs to date. The band has always impressed with their characteristic blend of crushing distortion and soft wistful melodies, but this track takes their expertise to the next level with a structure and balance that make it feel heavy and light at the same time. Grating and angry yet docile and jaded, this one is sure to have some fans moshing through their tears.
The album is chock-full of the band’s pop-Punk prowess and collective musicianship, from the upbeat drive of “You & I” and group-chanted outro of “Better Late” to the dreamy progression of “Out Of Touch” and the slow-paced anticipative “Fool”. Not to mention the title track’s subtle, sultry vocal harmonies and serene guitar instrumentals reminiscent of 2015’s beloved Copacetic closing track “Untitled”. If the band ever made an album strictly for their calming, chill-vibe moments like this, there is no question fans would eat it up.
Fellow pop-Punk veterans should take notes from Losing What We Love’s all-around beautiful demonstration of musical growth with just the right amount of experimentation. The band’s ability to tell a story through evolving dynamics and texturized layers of sound has reached new heights, all while still being instantly recognizable as Knuckle Puck.
Buy the album here:
8 / 10
COLLEEN KANOWSKY