Alternative rock is a genre that has spoken to many generations. Whether it is the classic 90s alternative rock that dominated radio, or the rock that we were blessed with in the early to mid 2000s such as My Chemical Romance or New Found Glory. What many would assume to be a faze or a trend is now a legacy and a sound that is immortal. It has an element of catchiness that serves as the ultimate party music for rockers as well as a relatable subject matter that has been there to help many people with uncertain times.

There have been many albums that have been relatable to people in these dark times, but Knuckle Puck creates an album that will easily serve as the soundtrack of celebration when all of this uncertainty is finally behind us. In Knuckle Puck’s new album, appropriately titled 20/20, it brings a while new lease of life to a genre that we all know and love. With the classic alternative sounds that combines pop, punk and rock, they once again proved that this style and this craft has a lot more to say.

Opening with the title track, 20/20, thereis a great alternative vibe starting off with great acoustics and flow then turning into a very catchy and alternative vibe. It is super fun and simple and leaves you wanting more while also setting a tone for the vibe that will be present through the entirety of the album. Tune you Out provides an awesome classic alternative strumming in the guitars to lead you in with great gentle vocals as well. Then it kicks in with hard-hitting notes that continue to add flavor. The vocals take the spotlight more at first but then everything works so well together and that flow is further carried into Sidechain where the momentum is carried even further its flow. Earthquake takes way more of a classic alternative melody to lead you in with lyrics that do a great job at conveying a narrative and imagery and provides the very optimistic vibe that is needed. RSVP picks up speed a little bit more. It demonstrates great hard hitting rhythm while the vocals shine full range over it all while having nice crunchy guitar tones that deliver a guiding melody to follow parallel with the guitars. Breathe, which features Derek of Mayday Parade showcases great drumming with great strumming and the vocals shine perfectly over it. The chorus makes a great use of sustaining notes that make you indulge in the track. The lyrics are very relatable for the times we are in, having an optimistic narrative and vibe letting us know that these hard times are over. Derek lends his vocal abilities perfectly serving as a great example of how a collaboration should be in this style. What took you so long provides great strumming once again with a great melody to support it. It also has the ability to pull back halfway through to let the atmosphere speak for itself.  Into the Blue is a tad heavier and more hard hitting to start it off, but then it immediately pulls back as the vocals shine over subtle instrumentation and everlasting flow is incorporated. Green Eyes is very gentle and tender guitar tone leads you in to deliver something harmonizing. This is a good sonic retrospective of their more tender sides and the sides that are more hard hitting. There is also phenomenal soloing that follows the same melody as the vocals and gives it another layer of emotion. True North continues the atmospheric party vibe and flows. The outro is what makes it stand out how it suddenly slows down and braces you for the nice strumming that lays ahead. Ending with Miles Away, A very subtle and tender start before going full range with great emotional power is used to end this album the highest of notes.

Knuckle Puck is able to deliver one fun experience with a familiar sound that provides optimism and tenderness. With now shows happening at the moment, this serves as a great throwback listen where we can kick back and imagine we are at Warped Tour. This is an album that will appeal to multiple generations who use music as a means of escaping uncertain times.

Out now on Rise \m/