Critics of the pop-punk genre often (unfairly) point to the formulaic output of many of the scene’s bands, but that’s a criticism that could never be levelled at Knuckle Puck. The five-piece craft richly complex songs that manage to be at once immensely catchy, but also reward repeated listens by slowly unveiling the components that come together to create their tracks.

Take the third song on their new album 20/20, Sidechain, which builds from a glorious chord progression, and packs an utterly epic bridge and a huge chorus. But beneath that surface-level beauty, there are some equally exquisite touches: a little riff that sits under the main chord pattern, a wonderfully well constructed shared vocal, a shuddering bass line. These treats reveal themselves slowly and add something new on each playthrough. It’s fantastic songwriting.

The Chicago outfit, made up of Joe Taylor (lead vocals), Kevin Maida (lead guitar), John Siorek (drums and percussion), Nick Casasanto (rhythm guitar), and Ryan Rumchaks (bass), have built a reputation for this sort of thing, and for combining it with relentlessly optimistic music which, at this difficult time, can only be a welcome thing.

20/20 is the band’s third album, following on from their debut Copacetic and 2017’s Shapeshifter and it’s no different. The opening and title track is built around a cute riff but blossoms into a cacophony, while Tune You Out rips along with real ferocity and shows the stunning edges of their frontman’s voice, just the right mixture of raw and refined.

Beathe skillfully deploys Derek Sanders of Mayday Parade in the bridge and packs another massive chorus, while What Took You So Long features some of the slickest guitar work yet, mixing razor-sharp riffs with the wrecking ball of the palm-muted verses. It’s a great advert for the album’s production and mixing, which is superb throughout and has been handled by Seth Henderson (Real Friends, State Champs) and Vince Ratti (The Wonder Years, Title Fight, The Menzingers) respectively.

Into The Blue is another monster, while Green Eyes (Polarized) serves as the album’s interlude, a gentler but no less well-made affair. True North might be the best the guitars sound in the whole of 20/20, which is saying something given the immense quality throughout, and Miles Away brings the curtain down in style.

Watch the official video for Breathe featuring Derek Sanders.

20/20 tracklist:

1. 20/20

2. Tune You Out

3. Sidechain

4. Earthquake

5. RSVP

6. Breathe (featuring Derek Sanders)

7. What Took You So Long?

8. Into The Blue

9. Green Eyes (Polarized)

10. True North

11. Miles Away

Author: Joe Sharratt

Joe Sharratt is a writer and journalist based in the UK covering music, literature, sport, and travel.