Palette Knife – “New Game+” Album Review
Palette Knife is an Emo/Indie/Punk band from Columbus, Ohio that is making waves in the music scene! On January 20th, 2023, Palette Knife released their sophomore LP, “New Game+“. This album is thirteen song project is an absolute banger that is sure to gain the band a ton of new fans.
Palette Knife stated that “New Game+” “is a concept album about us getting sucked int a video game ruled by malicious AI called ‘Plus’ (purple guy on the cover), where each non-interlude track is represented as a boss we have to defeat.” The concept of this album alone sold me. Too often we hear the same themes in our Emo/Pop-Punk music. I love that Palette Knife took a refreshing twist with this album!
“New Game+” starts off with “Death Screen“. The track starts off with the unmistakable sound of someone blowing into a N64 cartridge, which I later found out is an actual room recording of the band blowing into an N64 cartridge and slotting it in. The song then leads to the melody of the track as a video game sound, transitioning smoothly to the band’s instrumentals. For a concept album around a video game, I can’t think of a better way to start things off! I immediately fell in love with the guitar chords that start off the instrumentals on this track and didn’t look back. The repetitive gang style vocals will have fans singing every word back in harmony. “I’ll stay asleep ’til I have a dream!”
Palette Knife continues the album with “Jelly Boi“. “Jelly Boi” is a track filled with raw emotion. The song starts off with the slow strum of the guitar and beautiful vocals. The songs paints a picture of a lost relationship. “I wanna unlearn how to be alone, I wanna body to absorb the snacks when stoned. I wanna fight someone ’til my lipstick’s blood, I wanna margarita and a PBR. I want plot armor of the thinnest steel and an offscreen romance with the movie deal. I don’t have sex anymore, I don’t feel sad anymore. Don’t leave the house anymore, I have everything I need right here.” What really stood out to me was the change of pace that happens towards the end. The last minute and a half of the track is heavy guitar chords and fast-paced drumming that will have fans dancing like crazy.
Palette Knife keeps the action going with the next two tracks, “Avatar The Last Cakebender” and “Quotients“. “Avatar The Last Cakebender” follows the theme of wanting to move on from a past relationship but struggling to do so. “She wants me to come over and watch Avatar, but my anxiety says I will stay at home and date myself. We’re both consenting adults, I just don’t do that anymore. I’m gonna die a fishman on my shower floor. Because I’m too lazy to clean your hair out of my drain.” Palette Knife does an amazing job of creating strong instrumental energy that matches with the “anxiety” ridden character of the track! “Quotients” follows up and keeps the party rocking. You will immediately fall in love with the guitar chords that introduce the track. The theme of this track is based around distancing friendships and looking back on the past. “My life is a game show called, Watching Us Atrophy Into Good Friends, then old friends, just acquaintances, to people we knew once. No Power of Veto, Big Brother is watching me make out to TikToks, and memories of eating Cosmic Brownies in my dorm room.” Another small note to make; I love the screaming vocals that are sprinkled throughout the album. You know I’m a sucker for some hardcore throwdown!
“New Game+” continues on with “Pause Screen“, the second interlude on the album. Something cool to mention about this song is that the band used the The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time‘s pause menu sound on the track! Palette Knife continues on with “Weekend At Tony’s“. I like the message behind this song because I think it’s something thing we all struggle with from time to time. That “what next?” feeling where you’re not really sure where you’re going or what’s going to happen. “I crossed off the only thing on that list. How will I spend the next three months alone? What about the next fifty years after that? I think I might get sick of myself.” The following track, “Science Is Spooky Sometimes“, is a story we all unfortunately know too well. The story of picking up a drunk significant other/friend and taking care of them without much of a thank you. “I’ll get you there on time. You pull me close when we get inside, but that’s the time I psyched you out (Whoa). Cause when we go to your room, I helped you pick out pajamas, got a glass of water for you and Ibuprofen. But when I left the kitchen, you were passed out on the couch, you always do this when you go out. Next year I won’t be so around, to pull the hair out of your mouth.”
Palette Knife bring on their first feature of the album next with “Letters From Momtown (feat. Left Out).” This was such a strong feature to include on the album. The angelic vocals from Left Out were a great addition to a fast-paced, loud album. The vocalists of both bands flow together perfectly, going back and forth with their respective verses. The ninth track on the album, “Dam Son, Dim Sum“, comes up next. This song is a fun one as it’s rooted in gaming. With references to Dungeons & Dragons and The Mind Flayer, fans will instantly be able to relate. Palette Knife took a fun spin on this track, liking The Mind Flayer to negative influences in your life that aren’t living up to your ideals. The album’s final interlude, “Fog Gate” follows up and leads into a heavy, fast-paced three track conclusion to the album.
“New Game+” ends with “Randal The Vandal With Apple“, “Fuckin’ A#” and “…And That’s A Rock Fact.” “Randal The Vandal With Apple” starts off heavy with “Just fucking say it!”. From there, the band goes into quick drumming and nasty guitar chords that are going to have fans moshing away during this one! The song even ends with a breakdown that will see some arms and legs flailing at their shows. “Fuckin’ A#” comes up next and is one of my favorite songs from the album. The vocals are reminiscent of the classic Pop-Punk style that we all can’t get enough of! Palette Knife switches up the pace throughout this song, giving fans the chance to dance like crazy, slow it down and sing along, and end it with another dance party! Palette Knife concludes “New Game+” with “…And That’s A Rock Fact“. This song is a great one to end with because it gives the band to showcase their skills one last time. The song begins with forty-five second instrumental that leads into calm vocals that transition back into fast-paced action. The perfect way to cap off an outstanding album!
Palette Knife killed the game with the release of their sophomore LP, “New Game+“. This album is exactly what I needed and I’m sure everyone will agree! Make sure you follow Palette Knife on all social media platforms and listen to music from “New Game+” on the blog’s SPOTIFY PLAYLIST!