Knocked Loose “You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To” Review
It comes in eclipsing waves.
Fresh off of the 2023 festival season, playing sets at both Coachella and Lollapalooza, Knocked Loose has not only cemented their spot in the upper echelon of the heavy music scene, but has catapulted the scene in its entirety into the mainstream more than any others post mid-2000s. To say that Knocked Loose has come a long way from their days of playing in small clubs would be an understatement.
With two EPs, a split with Damaged Goods, two LPs, and various other singles, Knocked Loose's discography has grown immensely in the last ten years. When the band released the Upon Loss Singles in June of 2023, they hit a new stride, giving listeners just a small taste of what was to come. Seemingly having more focus on making songs that are more sonically dynamic than ever, they were able to articulate the most vivid image of what Knocked Loose has become. The future is now. You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To is Knocked Loose stepping onto the main stage, showing their final form.
Right at the jump, the first two tracks hit you with a full-blown aural assault. A wall of sound from the first breath, “Thirst” smacks you in the face with moments of chaos evoking a certain level of despair that I found to be prevalent on this record. Moving into the second track, “Piece By Piece” picks up into a groove of dissonant vibes paired with heavy chugging that eventually slows down, locking into hard-hitting and meaty chugs that make you want to run straight for the pit.
Two of the record's three singles are up next. Once again, “Suffocate” hits you with a disgusting riff that sounds borderline evil. It provides an uneasy feeling that comes partly from the riff itself, but also from the choice of super crispy, almost overly distorted guitar tones: a pairing that really drives the vision of the record home. This track also has the first of the record's two features with Poppy lending vocals on both a verse and in the bridge. This was a very cool feature that won't disappoint fans of either Knocked Loose or Poppy. The standout part of the track has got to the breakdown, which features a reggaeton soca drum beat, something I'm sure no one expected and has proved to be a smash hit. This transitions into “Don't Reach For Me,” the second single released before the record. A track that probably has the strongest and most melodic chorus, “Don't Reach For Me” almost feels like a new turn for the band, suiting them well as I’ve found the chorus stuck in my head for weeks on end.
Continuing on towards the midpoint of the record, we're faced with two tracks that exude nothing short of eerie emotions. “Moss Covers All” and “Take Me Home” come at the listener with some neck-breaking riffs that go in and out of a creepy and dissonant guitar melody. There is a certain genius in using the bass as a driving force, pushing the song towards having an almost industrial feel. This grants the listener a quick breather before the remaining tracks of the record beat you into submission.
The seventh track is “Slaughterhouse 2,” spiritual successor to the song “Slaughterhouse” by Motionless In White. This song features Chris Motionless and is a straight-up banger of an anthem. This has the second truly melodic chorus on the record which is a great juxtaposition to the brutal ass-beating verses and bridge. Following up this track is no easy feat, but it's something that “The Calm That Keeps You Awake” and “Blinding Faith” do with ease. The two songs flow into and out of each other, keeping you on the edge of your seat - a feat that is not to be overlooked, especially this deep into an album. Building even further on what is clearly Knocked Loose's take on themes such as mob mentality and organized religion, the penultimate track sums up the overall theme of the record. From its title and lyrical content, to how they revisit musical themes from the rest of the record, “Blinding Faith” honestly would have been a great album closer. But they didn't end it there.
“Sit & Mourn” is a deceptively heavy track that evokes a deep emotional response from the listener. From the creepy and clean guitar intro to the full band kicking in with a chaotic assortment of parts that all somehow fit. Everything stops for four beats. Then we're met with yet another wall of sound and a riff that is sure to get stuck in everyone's head. Once again blending all key elements, both old and new, they make each song on this record stand out in their discography. This final track is a pure triumph and is sure to elicit an emotional response from anyone who listens, veteran or rookie.
The ability to stay true to themselves and their OG fans, while pushing past boundaries and finding new ways to express themselves, is how Knocked Loose have made it to the top of the world right now. You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To is easily the band's most cohesive outing, which feels surprising when you take into account the vastly different vibes that some of the songs have. It truly shows their ability to create something special and new, while still staying true to who they've been all along. Fans of heavy music everywhere will keep this record in mind as a top contender for album of the year.
9.6/10