A Different Shade of Blue is the second studio album by the American hardcore punk band Knocked Loose. It was released through Pure Noise Records on August 23, 2019, and produced by Will Putney. It was the last album to feature rhythm guitarist Cole Crutchfield before his departure in 2020.
Musical style The album merges the styles of hardcore punk and heavy metal. It has been categorised as genres such as metalcore, heavy hardcore and sludgecore. It often borders the sounds of Swedish death metal and groove metal.
Kris Pugh of Distorted Sound magazine described it as putting the band "at the apex of modern hardcore". In an article for Kerrang!, Dan Slessor says that in comparison to the band's previous album: "It’s more hardcore, more metal, there are more fast parts, more breakdowns, more malice, more unease and, perhaps most importantly, more energy". In an article for New Noise magazine, Caleb R Newton said that "There is not a single moment on A Different Shade of Blue that’s not packed to the brim with musical (and thematic!) brutality". However, Connor Atkinson for Exclaim! described "Mistakes Like Fractures" as "overtly catchy".
Critical reception
The album generally received positive reviews.
Accolades + Accolades for A Different Shade of Blue Publication Accolade Rank Alternative Press The 50 Best Albums of 2019 Loudwire The 66 Best Metal Albums of the Decade: 2010–2019 Loudwire The 50 Best Metal Albums of 2019 Revolver 25 Best Albums of 2019 What Culture 15 Best Metal Albums of 2019
Track listing
Personnel Knocked Loose Bryan Garris – vocals Isaac Hale – lead guitar, vocals Cole Crutchfield – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Kevin Otten – bass Kevin "Pacsun" Kaine – drums
Additional contributors Will Putney – recording, mixing, mastering Ridge Rhine – artwork Emma Boster – additional vocals on "A Serpent's Touch" Keith Buckley – additional vocals on "Forget Your Name"
Charts + Chart performance for A Different Shade of Blue Chart (2019) Peakposition Scottish Albums (OCC) 41 UK Album Sales (OCC) 26 UK Digital Albums (OCC) 66 UK Physical Albums (OCC) 27 UK Independent Albums (OCC) 5 UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC) 3 US Billboard 200 26
References