Review: "Foolish Pleasure" - The Knocks x Dragonette

Cheyenne Johnson
Mar 31
2 min read

The Knocks x Dragonette Foolish Pleasure Cover Art

Giving us another taste of their upcoming collaborative album, The Knocks and Dragonette have released their third single from Revelation, showing us a euphoric sneak-peek into what's to come on June 6th. "Foolish Pleasure" plays on a relatable desire to break free from the responsibilities of life and work, exploring the necessity to indulge in freedom and fun. Shedding light on the inspiration behind the epic new single, Dragonette shares, "This song started off so differently than it ended up. In fact, I don’t think any single vocal from the original idea stayed in the final version. But the feeling and the emotion of it was always the same. I think everyone can relate at some point to the sense that work and stress and responsibilities have taken over your life and it can reach the point that the pursuit of adventure and spontaneity feels like necessary medicine."

Steeped in nostalgia, The Knocks and Dragonette come together in "Foolish Pleasure" to create an '80s-inspired soundscape perfect for the modern electropop lover. The track is an arresting blend of dance-pop, indietronica, and synth-pop, featuring shimmering synths, infectious beats, and dazzling melodies. Dragonette captivates with her smooth, powerhouse vocals, giving an unforgettable performance that sounds like a vocal combination of Cyndi Lauper and The Bangles' Susanna Hoffs. Truly a synth-laden daydream, The Knocks x Dragonette's "Foolish Pleasure" is sure to go down as a highlight in 2025, making us excited for the release of Revelation.

A duo hailing from NYC, The Knocks are known for pushing sonic boundaries, drawing inspiration from a plethora of genres like disco, hip-hop, soul, funk, pop, and more. Comprised of members James Patterson and Ben Ruttner, the Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum-selling pair brings their DJ sets and live electronic productions to fans around the world with some notable performances including appearances on TV shows like Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and Seth Meyers. Often collaborating with The Knocks, Dragonette, aka Martina Sorbara, has had quite the career over the past 15 years. The JUNO Award-winning artist has had an abundance of global hits, including "Pick Up the Phone," "Let It Go," and "Hello (with Martin Solveig)." Also a sought-after songwriter, Dragonette's writing credits include songs for Keith Urban, Cyndi Lauper, Pretty Sister, Mike Mago, and Carly Rae Jepsen.