Knocked Loose, 'You Won't Go Before You're Supposed to': Short, but most certainly sweet

Knocked Loose with 'Suffocate' collaborator, Poppy.

'You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To' (2024) has kicked up a significant amount of buzz in the alternative music community, and rightly so. When approaching popularity, many artists make the decision to steer towards radio popularity by softening their sound to increase their marketability, but Knocked Loose has done no such thing. Instead, they've taken things one step further and produced an even more exhilarating collection than the last.

Clocking in at just under 30 minutes, 'You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To' is an impressive follow-up to the band's previous release, 'A Tear In The Fabric Of Life' (2021), which narrates a man's tale of grief and insanity following the death of a loved one. Knocked Loose accomplishes a considerable amount in such a short runtime- every track has its own place within the album's overarching narrative. No time for filler tracks here- almost every single minute of this album hits the mark.

Still from 'Blinding Faith', 2024

Hard-hitting track 'Suffocate' (featuring Poppy) entirely subverted all expectations I had- Poppy's vocals blend perfectly with Garris', making one wish she was a permanent addition to the band. Wailing guitars and a soft-spoken verse from Poppy force us to take a brief pause, allowing a moment for thought. The track is turned entirely on its head with the addition of a reggaeton-style breakdown before we return briefly to Garris once more, followed by nothing but the sound of droning flies hanging in the air.

'Moss Covers All' followed immediately by 'Take Me Home' is breathtaking. The two blend beautifully into one another- strangely enough, the two are on opposite sides of the vinyl release despite how they bleed into one another. Vinyl grievances aside, these two tracks in tandem are a masterpiece. Garris' vocals are suddenly cut off by a chaotic breakdown, almost replicating the feeling of a sudden loss or traumatic event. Unnerving and eerie, this perfectly captures everything that 'You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To' is.

However, the dynamic duo of 'Blinding Faith' followed by 'Sit & Mourn' is easily my favourite two-track run on the album. There is a stunning contrast in tone between the two- 'Blinding Faith' is packed full of nasty riffs and takes a standoffish attitude towards those who rely on religion whilst not adhering to what they preach. 'Sit & Mourn' is a more cathartic piece exploring the process of grieving the loss of a loved one whilst calling back to 'Suffocate' with 'I pulled from the root and found more blood'. The track closes out with a haunting echo chamber to reflect within.

The only real criticism I have on this album is 'Slaughterhouse 2' (featuring Chris Motionless). Whilst acknowledging the callback to 'Motionless In White's 'Slaughterhouse' (featuring Bryan Garris), this track felt a little out of place among the others. 'Slaughterhouse' already exists in its own right as a Motionless in White song- it just didn't need a second part. It felt a little like (insert pre-existing successful media here) 2: Electric Boogaloo.

Vocalist Bryan Garris in accompanying video for 'Don't Reach For Me', 2024

Overall? Absolutely worth spending half an hour with. 'You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To' comes wrapped beautifully with a mossy green gift bow, just waiting to be opened and enjoyed.

If this is how 'mainstream' popularity looks, then I can't wait to hear what Knocked Loose does next.