2024 has been Knocked Loose‘s biggest year yet. They released their killer new album You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To in May on Pure Noise, went on two headlining tours and won over massive crowds on a run opening for Slipknot, and the album’s Poppy-featuring single “Suffocate” is up for a Grammy. Knocked Loose and Poppy also just gave a killer performance of that song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! last night (11/26). They filmed the performance on an outdoor stage in Hollywood, right next to where Kimmel is taped, and though “Suffocate” was the only song broadcast on television, it was actually the first of a five-song mini set. Watch video of the broadcasted performance and fan-shot footage of the rest of the concert below.
Knocked Loose’s new LP is sure to appear on lots of year-end lists, and with the year winding down, we asked Knocked Loose guitarist Nicko Calderon what his 10 favorite albums of the year were. He put together a list that includes heavy stuff (Job For A Cowboy, Candy), super popular stuff (Charli XCX, Tyler the Creator), recent tourmates (Show Me The Body), and more, and he gave us commentary on each pick. Read on for what he had to say.
Knocked Loose will stay busy in 2025, with a Europe/UK tour with Basement, Harms Way, and Pest Control; US festival appearances at Welcome to Rockville, When We Were Young, and Inkcarceration; UK fest Outbreak; and more.
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Nicko Calderon’s (Knocked Loose) 10 Favorite Albums of 2024
1. She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to She – Chelsea Wolfe
This record is everything I wanted from a new Chelsea Wolfe record. It’s dark, it’s moody, it’s heavy, it’s dancy. It pulls me out of reality with every listen.
2. Toil & Spin – Tigerwine
Holy shit riffs. If there’s any record you should check out on this list, it’s this one.
3. CHROMAKOPIA – Tyler, The Creator
Highly anticipated, with good reason and the execution to back it up. My favorite thing about this record is how intentional every instrument, feature, and lyric is.
4. Moon Healer – Job For A Cowboy
I simply cannot believe how good this record is. Biggest highlight for me is the bass performance/writing on this. This record makes me want to be a better musician.
5. COPRUS II – Show Me The Body
Unsure if I’m allowed to include this record since it’s technically two EP’s but this record makes me want to smoke cigarettes and be a degenerate in the best way.
6. Brat – Charli XCX
Indie sleaze is so back. This record is the way your retail job manager smells after a three day bender at the club.
7. Fruit For Flies – The Army, The Navy
Two incredible voices that sound like they were meant to be. They’re probably my favorite artist I discovered this year and this is one hell of a debut record. Can’t wait for more.
8. It’s Inside You – CANDY
Innovative. Arguably the most creative modern hardcore record in a long time. Feels like stage diving onto oil barrels.
9. There Goes The Dream – Modern Color
The performance on this record is incredible. The vocals, the melodies, the guitar work. Really scratches the midwest itch for me.
10. Free Energy – Dummy
I absolutely love the production. Their utilization of different sounds really helps create this Playstation 1 indie rock universe. I bet listening to this record with the Windows Media Player Visualizer would go so hard.