It’s widely-acknowledged that Bent Knee are on the verge of a pop culture breakthrough. Following the strong critical reception to 2014’s Shiny Eyed Babies, the Boston band is about to release Say So, its most intense, incendiary and enthralling album to date. Imagine 45 years of rock and avant music melted down into addictive, mercurial pop and you’ll have an idea of how diverse and expansive Bent Knee is. Having road-tested the songs at dozens of shows, and collectively obsessed over every detail, the band is excited to announce its third LP Say So on May 20 via the highly-influential and revered Cuneiform Records.
Say So epitomizes Bent Knee’s knack for adventurous arrangements, at once incredibly complex and remarkably accessible. “Leak Water” delivers pulsing rhythms that capture and enthrall from the outset. Frontwoman Courtney Swain’s haunting, otherworldly vocals complete the intrigue. Other album highlights include “Eve,” a true epic with tightly-woven embedded storylines —essentially, songs within a song. “Good Girl” captures the cinematic rhythm of patriarchal society, offering incisive commentary situated within shadowy sonic textures. Throughout the record, the band toes the line between noise rock and hook-driven pop. It’s entirely captivating, with thrilling twists and turns far beyond convention, yet instantly engaging.
The mesmerizing video companion to “Leak Water,” directed by Greg Bowen is here:

Since its inception, Bent Knee has remained true to the incredible spectrum of its diverse musical personalities. Swain’s riveting vocals lead the way through often dark lyrical themes, while guitarist Ben Levin sets the atmosphere, shifting seamlessly from melodic riffs to extreme dissonance, often in a moment’s notice. Bassist Jessica Kion and drummer Gavin Wallace-Ailsworth contribute deep grooves, full of unexpected accents and ornamentation that glue the boundary-pushing work together. Violinist Chris Baum soars atop and through the material, further expanding the group’s sonic palette, and producer/sound designer Vince Welch combines it all with understated brilliance.
The band has performed more than 300 shows across the US, Canada and Japan, including a recent showcase at Lincoln Center, and will soon embark on North American and European tours this summer. Stay tuned for more from Bent Knee coming soon!