State Champs will release their self-titled fifth album on November 8 through Pure Noise Records and unsurprisingly it is a banger.
Opener The Constant immediately kicks in with that signature State Champs pop punk riff. It’s angsty with lyrics focusing on someone who was the constant but that person being toxic by keeping you in the dark.
Clueless has a sick riff and the entire chorus is an earworm.
Hell of It is the first of the slower songs. It opens up about trying in a relationship ‘for the hell of it’. It’s very reminiscent of a slower Criminal. It’s apt that Sobering is another slower song. The soft drums in the opening work really well and actually stand out. I actually think it’s the standout song on the album for me and definitely one I relate to lyrically when looking at past experiences.
I Still Want To is an absolute jam. It’s one of the catchiest with the entire chorus able to get stuck in your head for ages.
Save Face Story is also a close contender for my favourite song on the album. It’s very reminiscent of Living Proof, my favourite State Champs era, but I love the switch to the angsty shouts around the two minute mark. It really switches the sound up and is quite fun.
The album ends with Golden Years which has a fab mix of dual vocals and is a huge closer.
State Champs say that every era of the band features in the album and they’re right as the influence from the last (almost) 15 years is evident. There’s a more early upbeat sound in the likes of Silver Cloud and Too Late to Say and a later sound with Light Blue’s more subtle verses and huge chorus.
The entire album is a bop and reminds you just why State Champs are hands down one of the best pop punk bands.
Every single song is catchy in its own way and has a huge hook. It’s safe to say that State Champs are continuing to own the pop punk genre.