Knuckle Puck, one of the most celebrated acts in the modern pop punk scene recently announced their new album ‘Losing What We Love’ to be released 20th of October and now we are treated to the title track off the record.
“‘Losing What We Love’ (the song) sways between clinging on to what was and letting go completely. If you choose your company wisely, you can allow yourself to give away all that you have to offer without hesitation or fear,” says the band.
Over the last thirteen years, the band has nurtured their craft across three albums and has artfully balanced their emotional spectrum, trading in high-tempered and deeply introspective lyricism, but also cutting the tension with an underlying layer of optimism. But now, with the release of their fourth LP Knuckle Puck are done sugarcoating life’s hard truths. It is a record about coming to terms with exactly that. It is an attempt to lean into the transition between a high point in life to a low point. These songs are a tribute to the familiar while acknowledging that nothing can stay the same forever.
“For a long time, we felt a responsibility to have this overwhelming hopefulness to our lyrics,” Cassasanto explains. “This time around, we started writing more honestly with less intent to sound cool or hopeful. It feels like we’re in a bit of a losing battle with the state of the world, but in the past we’d say, ‘Oh, but it’s all OK!’ Now we’re saying, ‘No, we should be panicking.’ This record feels like more of an expression than a motivational speech.”
Recorded with longtime producer Seth Henderson (State Champs, Real Friends), ‘Losing What We Love’ follows 2022’s ‘Disposable Life’ EP and marks the band’s first LP for Pure Noise Records. In many ways, it’s a throwback to their earliest days – not necessarily in sound, but in songwriting essence, tapping into the same collaborative magic they found in bedrooms and garages across Chicago’s south suburbs as teenagers.
“There was a real excitement from everyone to see these songs,” Casasanto says. “Even when there were moments when someone wouldn’t be so hot on an idea, we pushed through and ended in a place where the songs turned out fucking awesome and everyone agreed they needed to make the record.” It’s clear there’s a newfound energy inside their ranks, a steadfast belief in one another that steered the ship during the album and will carry the band long into the future.
In many ways, it’s the same spirit of unity that bonds their fervent crowds – the ones that pack sweaty clubs around the world to sing and scream along with Taylor and Casasanto’s impassioned vocals. And even if they’re not cut with as much lyrical optimism this time around, the sheer power and honesty of Knuckle Puck’s songs on LP4 will still give audiences a rallying cry around which to gather in transformative moments of community.
“What excites me about being in Knuckle Puck these days is being excited to go play shows and know not much else matters,” Taylor says emphatically. “I used to get all in my head about online comments on songs, but then we’d go play shows and they were fucking nuts. Right now, the only thing that matters is the people freaking out to our songs every night.”
‘Losing What We Love’ tracklist:
01. A New Beginning
02. The Tower
03. October
04. You & I
05. Losing What We Love
06. Groundhog’s Day
07. Act Accordingly
08. Out Of Touch
09. Worlds Apart
10. Better Late
11. Fool