It’s been two years since Knuckle Puck have released an album, so their new album Shapeshifter has been highly anticipated for a lot of fans, including myself. After several listens, the album is still the sound of Knuckle Puck, just more mature. There are a lot of differences in the band’s sound, but it’s still an enjoyable album that I’ll be listening to all winter long.
The album starts slow, with “Nervous Passenger,” which was unexpected. Though the track is good, I would’ve liked a higher energy track to start off because when I hit play, I didn’t think the album even started because of how quiet it starts off. It’s unique for this band, but it works because it seamlessly transitions into “Twist.” This track is more energetic, with the guitar riffs I recognize from Knuckle Puck’s old works. As the album moves further down, it sounds more and more like the band’s previous albums and EPs, which is more of what I wanted and expected from Shapeshifter.
The song “Everyone Lies to Me,” which is the fifth track on the album right in the middle, is one of the best ones on the album with solid instrumentals. Joe Taylor’s voice is so strong on this song; you can really see the growth he’s gone through as a vocalist. I think this track is enjoyable because it is reminiscent of tracks from their debut full-length Copacetic, which is one of my favorite albums of all-time.
The track after “Everyone Lies to Me,” titled “Want Me Around,” was the final single the band released before the album dropped, but it is the most different from Knuckle Puck’s usual sound. It has a groovy beat to it, rather than the heavy pop-punk guitar and drums they usually have. Lyrically, it’s really strong and it’s catchy, but it is probably the least impressive track, as it just didn’t stick with me, nor was I as excited about it as I was with their first two singles, “Gone” and “Double Helix.”
The last two tracks, “Wait” and “Plastic Brains” are my personal favorites on the album. They just have the strong lyrics the band always write that have a way of making you feel something deeper when you listen to them. The line “you always did feel just like home” in “Wait” is a great punchline to yell in the crowd at their live shows, just like several of their other older songs. I love tracks like this because everyone in the room when it’s played is connected by lyrics as they sing them back to the band. With “Plastic Brains,” it’s a mellow end to the album just like it started, which gives the album this feel of it going full circle. The coolest part about this track is it gradually grows in intensity as it continues, which is so fun to hear.
Overall, Shapeshifter is a really good album and I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end, but I will say it does not top their debut album Copacetic. That album had amazing flow and lyrics with strong instrumentals. Shapeshifter has these qualities, but isn’t as much of a powerhouse for Knuckle Puck, it’s a lot more mellowed out. With this in mind, it’s safe to say the band is growing and learning more about themselves as they progress in their careers, so it makes sense for them to alter their process a little. Listen to Shapeshifter if you haven’t yet, it will be worth your time.