Knuckle Puck - While I Stay Secluded (EP Review)

Knuckle Puck is riding high as one of the most buzzed about pop/punk bands of 2014. In a year when the emo-revival has been the toast of the town Knuckle Puck has shown listeners that the pop/punk revival is still pretty darn relevant and that some really good pop/punk bands are still releasing solid music in 2014. So when their follow-up to the well received The Weight That You Buried EP was announced via Bad Timing Records it seemed like anything but bad timing. So the big question is: does While I Stay Secluded live up to the hype?

First, just about every other review I've read for While I Stay Secluded has said something like "why another EP? Why not an album?". I think focusing on length takes away from some of the accomplishments of this band and their releases. This is another super solid batch of pop/punk songs. Yeah, it's another EP but I'd rather have solid EPs worth of material over an albums worth of duds. I'm guessing this band will have a full length out sometime next year so I'm not concerned that it's another EP in the least. EPs are good ways to consistently give fans new music. It's quicker to record and keeps the band out on the road building buzz. It's a win win for fans. Every once in a while a band will treat you to a string of really solid EPs that aren't just single songs with throwaways, the gap between albums EP, or poorly produced demos. I know I've enjoyed more than a share from each category. It is rare, though, that a band gives you a string of solid album worthy songs on EPs. We saw Real Friends do it leading up their debut album this year. Honestly in my eyes Knuckle Puck have taken over the vacated spot from Real Friends (the band signed to Fearless and released an album this year). Like Real Friends Knuckle Puck has captured the pop/punk youth, become tumblr's new favorite pop/punk band, and have sold a ton of vinyl pressings of their pressed EPs.

While You Stay Secluded is another pop/punk gem for the band. They're riding high on the insane fandom they found with their The Weight That You Buried EP. They show pop/punk listeners they might not have even scratched the surface of just how good they can be. While I Stay Secluded is just as good and probably better than its predecessor. It sounds like a young band blistering away at pop/punk songs infused with emotional lyrics. It's a pretty impressive listen. "But Why Would You Care" is one of the best pop/punk songs I've heard this year. It has nice lyrics and I enjoy the instrumentation. "Oak Street", a song released prior to the EP on a flexi, is a nice single worthy song and shows the band in top form. I personally really enjoy the lyrics on "Alexander PI". The production and mixing on the EP sounds really nice.

To me this EP is comparable to Real Friends' EP Put Yourself Back Together, which is Real Friends' big EP release after their highly regarded Everyone That Dragged You Here. It shows the band continuing and improving without messing with their formula too much. It also shows they aren't a one big moment bandcamp wonder. This band is starting to align themselves with some of the bigger up and coming names in pop/punk. It's one of the best EPs I've heard this year and a really super solid pop/punk release. I think this EP sets the stage for the full length to come in a really big way. If it's any indication the stage could be quite big.