Welcome back to Finetuned! We’ve made it through the holidays, homies. Time to tackle the new year and keep our spirits as high as they can be. I wanted to kick off our first edition back with an emo banger. This has some of those iconic-feeling anthems, and all the sad tunes, of course.
This week, we are chatting about Palette Knife 🤘
Palette Knife is an emo trio hailing from Columbus, Ohio! They took what they absorbed from the city’s DIY and emo/math-rock scene and carved out a sound that feels distinctly their own. Because of that, it becomes pretty obvious how big of a role math-rock rhythms and twinkly guitar lines play in shaping their music. At its core, the band feels defined by a shared love of intricate guitar work and confessional songwriting - exactly what you’d hope for from this corner of the genre. They bring an energetic approach and a nerd-friendly aesthetic rooted in video game imagery and internet culture, which isn’t totally unheard of, but it’s something I personally love. Their early releases built a dedicated grassroots fanbase (at least, that’s how it feels), buzzing 🐝 about their clever hooks and emotionally honest lyrics.
Their sound gives off the feeling of a band that grew up surrounded by tight-knit local scenes, DIY tours, and community-driven shows - like this level of chemistry could only come from genuine collaboration. There’s a real sense of camaraderie in their music, paired with the everyday anxieties of young adulthood and the isolating haze of quarantine life. That combination gives their songs a sincerity that hits just as hard in a sweaty basement show as it does alone in your headphones.
Ad Stuff ⤵
Start your year with clarity
Written by Shane Parrish and reMarkable, this workbook helps you pause and reflect. Rather than add pressure, it relieves it, bringing clarity to what truly matters.
A simple reset for January. A thoughtful way to review your year.
The lads do a fantastic job blending emo, pop-punk, indie rock, and math rock guitar work into songs that are bright, fast, and emotionally sharp (talking about lyrics here, but also melody). Their sound balances twinkly math-rock riffs and punchy chord progressions with thoughtful rhythms and earnest vocals - pulling me in like Spanish Love Songs but with the emotional punch or flair of Hot Mulligan. If you enjoy bands like Origami Angel, Mom Jeans, Joyce Manor, Free Throw, or Hot Mulligan, you’ll definitely find something to love here.
New Game+ (our album rec) channels that energy into a focused, high-momentum record built around video-game-style interludes and full-throttle emo anthems. Angular guitars, quick dynamic shifts, and melodic hooks make it feel nostalgic yet fresh, while also having varied structures and tight production that gives every track clarity and punch. Lyrically, the album balances humor (it’s hilarious) with vulnerability, exploring growing pains, nostalgia, isolation, and self-reflection through clever pop-culture references.
Why Listen? In my opinion, this is a standout modern emo-pop-punk release because it blends straight-up catchy hooks with emotional depth and a playful sense of identity that makes the music feel personal and alive. Whether you’re drawn in by the tight guitar work, the relatable lyrics, or the clever framing of everyday feelings through video game metaphors, this album delivers. It’s fun, thoughtful, and packed with moments that stick with you long after the final chord fades.
Finetuned Rec 👇
Ugh what an album. This has tracks for the nights where you karaoke with the homies, want to vibe down the road with with the windows down, or you want sick math rock riffage.
Enjoy the jams, Finetuners!
artist - Palette Knife
album - New Game+
album rating - 9.5/10
fave track - Jelly Boi
hon. men. #1 - Quotients
hon. men. #2 - Weekend at Tony’s
hon. men #3 - Damn Son, Dim Sum
Thanks for reading here, Finetuners! I do hope you all have enjoyed this week’s Finetuned. I’d appreciate any insights, admiration, or otherwise. You can email me here: [email protected].
See you all in the next one! 🙌
(web header image: Credit: Ceci Clark)
(Sources: https://paletteknife.bandcamp.com/album/new-game, https://swimintothesound.com/blog/2023/1/20/palette-knife-new-game-album-review, https://www.scenemusicmedia.com/interview/palette-knife,, https://theafterhoursreview.com/2023/01/30/palette-knife-new-game-album-review, https://stitchedsound.com/album-review-new-game-by-palette-knife-an-energetic-ode-to-midwestern-life-and-the-introspection-of-quarantine/