Take a Drive Down the 101 with The Strike’s New Release, Knock Me Out

Knock Me Out is the Sound of a Coastal Summer Brought to us by The Strike.

The Strike's Promotional Image | Photo by Maya Fuhr

Article Contributed by Konstantina Buhalis

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Coast to Coast Euphoria

The Strike have returned with a new project, Knock Me Out, an album that takes inspiration from Yacht Rock, Synth-pop, and the freedom of driving along the Pacific Coast Highway. The Strike’s philosophy about resilience and inner strength has earned them a dedicated fanbase, leading to “No Time To Waste,” their largest headlining tour this year.

Knock Me Out comes during a long, hot summer, keeping listeners cool in the surf and shade, and reminding listeners that our inner power keeps us connected to ourselves and each other.

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The Strike went on record talking about Knock Me Out, saying: “It's about carrying the weight of expectations, self-doubt, and pressure, yet continuing to push forward. Life is full of inevitable setbacks, and it is how we respond to these setbacks that makes up the overall quality of our lives. If you are facing something difficult at this moment, understand that it is temporary. There is no shame in getting knocked down if you continue to get back up and continue to fight.”

The Strike's promotional picture for their Knock Me Out Project | Photo by Sarah Eiseman

Summertime Cool

Knock Me Out is a quintessential Summer listening album, with the driving force of Synth-pop pushing the sound of the record, creating an exciting and refreshing album. The title track opens the album with a keyboard riff that swells and vibrates with excitement and intention; an uptempo beat entices listeners to step back and embrace the journey ahead.

The vintage stylization of the sonic landscape builds a nostalgic record that embraces the easy-listening genre standards.

As the album continues, “Famous”  meets the listener halfway through with an interpolation of A-Ha’s “Take On Me”. Keeping up with the high-energy sound, Knock Me Out is a danceable album from start to finish, making it a staple for playlists.

The final track, “Miles Ahead,” is an emotional send-off for listeners, with a larger-than-life production that sounds like it would be at home in the final scene and credits of a coming-of-age movie. 

Soundcheck Rating: 7/10

A fun and exceptionally positive album, Knock Me Out is a testament to the importance of positivity in artistic scenes. The Strike is on their way to filling stadiums and giving audiences a Synth-pop pep talk. 

Standout Tracks:

Knock Me Out

Famout

Miles Ahead