Knocked Loose: Pop Culture (Black, Red & Orange)

Knocked Loose – Pop Culture (EP) Review

Released in 2014, Pop Culture was Knocked Loose’s explosive debut EP that laid the foundation for their now-iconic sound in the hardcore and metalcore scenes. Clocking in at just 11 minutes, the record is a relentless, crushing force that introduced the band’s signature mix of metallic hardcore, breakdown-heavy aggression, and raw emotional intensity.

Sound & Style

From the opening track, The Gospel, the EP wastes no time establishing Bryan Garris’ uniquely high-pitched, tortured vocals over sludgy, bone-crushing riffs. The hardcore punk energy is met with metallic breakdowns, reminiscent of early Hatebreed and Disembodied, but with a chaotic edge that would later define the band’s sound.

• Tracks like “Separate” and “All My Friends” showcase their ability to balance ferocity and groove, with pit-inducing breakdowns that hit like a sledgehammer.

• The title track, “Pop Culture,” remains one of their most iconic songs, featuring one of the nastiest breakdowns in their discography, paired with bleak lyrics about modern-day apathy.

Lyrical Themes

Despite its short runtime, the EP delivers dark, introspective, and often bleak lyrics about loss, frustration, and disillusionment with the world. Lines like “My friends are a death wish, and I’m a casualty” (from All My Friends) encapsulate the raw, unfiltered emotions that would continue to define Knocked Loose’s discography.

Impact & Legacy

Pop Culture is more than just a debut EP—it’s a defining moment in modern hardcore. It set the stage for their full-length albums (Laugh Tracks, A Different Shade of Blue), proving that Knocked Loose wasn’t just another heavy band; they were here to reshape the genre. Even a decade later, Pop Culture is a staple in heavy music and remains one of the most influential hardcore releases of the 2010s.

Final Verdict: 9/10

If you love punishing breakdowns, raw emotion, and unrelenting energy, Pop Culture is a must-listen. It’s a brutal, unpolished, and chaotic debut that still holds up as one of the hardest-hitting EPs in modern hardcore.

BY RUE MORGUE RECORDS