Album Review: Shapeshifter - Knuckle Puck

Chicago rockers Knuckle Puck are one of the bands that have helped form a resurgence of new pop-punk scene in recent years. Their well-earned position was primarily born from their 2015 debut, "Copacetic", praised by most who heard it and just being a solid first record. Of course, this success brings the questions of what they’d do on a sophomore and if they’d build on their momentum. The answer to these questions: “Shapeshifter”

If you know anything about Knuckle Puck recently, you’ll know “Shapeshifter” is take two at a sophomore after scraping their first attempt. This feeling of a fresh start comes through in the record as from the first listen of the very first song, the record shows the five-piece being comfortable in their own skin. “Nervous Passenger” gives you easy listening guitars (relative to Knuckle Puck’s sound) balanced kindly against Joe Taylor’s breaking vocals. But the fast-paced drums and emotive lyrics that seem intrinsic of the Knuckle Puck style is still there, which bodes well for the rest of “Shapeshifter”

The track listing seems to give a cleaner feel than Knuckle Puck’s previous releases. The guitars feel more polished, as if there is more talent behind them, which can only mean that lead guitarist Kevin Maida has really stepped up for this album. Songs like “Want Me Around” and “Double Helix” also show that they've found out how to present melodic guitar riffs whilst still feeling original. The change isn't extreme, but you can tell Knuckle Puck have found a way you get a more polished sound. At the same time, “Twist,” is truly  unadulterated Knuckle Puck.  It presents almost a stark contrast to the opener, and feels like an instant band classic, particularly as getting into that strong bridge, a formula repeated a few times in the record - cc:“Gone” or “Conduit”  

One of the main things when it comes to Knuckle Puck is the composite content of their lyrics. On that debut record, lyrics were intricate and maybe thought out a little too much, represented in that title: Copacetic. But that was to its benefit; it was a raw and deep musical effort that I had not heard the likes of before, and not really since. The vocabulary on “Shapeshifter” is more accessible and may seem dumbed down to appeal to that larger audience, but if you’re really listening you’ll find that lyrical complexity is still there. Not to mention how songs like “Stuck In Our Ways” give an example of a brighter thematic approach to the band’s expression. Special shout out to "Double Helix" and the line ​“I never learn,” which harks thoughts to the millennial anthem, "Mr Brightside"

I’ll be the first to admit I turned my nose up when saw that the track listing had a mere 10 songs, and was afraid that I was about to listen to an album of compromise. Not the case. If anything, Knuckle Puck has given us an example in “Shapeshifter” of how developing a sound while ‘staying true’ can only result in betterment

The only problem I have now is that it seems this record is going to find its way onto my top ten album of the year list, an already close-knit list. That’s gonna be a tough one, but as always, I’ll be sure to let you know,

Pros:

- Clean, polished sound while still musically appealing

- Thematic, with a smooth listen through; works well as an album

Cons:

- Not too much development from first album

- Lyric vocabulary seems simplified

7.5/10

Don't take my word for it - have a listen for yourself