The Knocks - 55

The Knocks
55
2016
Spotify

By all accounts The Knocks are two of the coolest guys out there. They make smooth pop hits that connect on a visceral level. But this is a new world where the singers aren't the stars, instead the producers are taking center stage and thus we have 55. Ten of the tracks on this record have already been released as singles or on their debut EP, but that doesn't really much matter, because when they come together it is shimmery goodness. Their style, like some of their song titles, is classic blending the influences of disco and synth pop into a powerful hands in the air dance tracks. The Knocks also find themselves working with a lot of the Indie scene like Magic Man, Phoebe Ryan and Matthew Koma. Bringing these voices in on what would otherwise be genreal pop tracks adds an air of credibility that makes their delivery much more smooth and palpable for the hipster set. It just seems like The Knocks, Penguin Prison, and RAC have their fingers on the pulse of a nu-disco revolution that is currently going on and their style pushes it forward even more. Bringing in Wyclef Jean, who's album they produced is a sign of them bleeding into the mainstream without changing their sound at all.

The clear standout on this record is "Classic", so good they had to put it on the album twice both in it's original iteration with Powers singing and again with a feature from Fetty Wap. This track is next level good, with Fetty Wap adding a smooth hip hop vibe that really is undeniable. This song alone should propel the band into the stratosphere and if you haven't already get ready to hear this song blasting out of every car with it's windows down. If there is any issue with the record it is perhaps its cohesion as a full record, but these days does that really even matter? If you can put out 15 bangers why in the hell would you not? 55 just has that comfortable nostalgic feel that so many people try to imitate, but it's The Knocks who have really perfected it. Even songs like "Time" which is one of the weaker tracks still has this infectious hook that grabs a hold of you and never lets go. You sit there waiting for it to come back around because it is just so damn good. If this is a sign of things to come then there is going to be a lot of pop singers shaking in their boots because the producers are stepping out from behind the board.

8.4 out of 10