ALBUM REVIEW: State Champs – State Champs
The self-titled album is a pivotal statement for any band. It stands in the band’s career as a declaration their DNA as a group, who they are, where they’ve been and where they’re going. On their self-titled album, STATE CHAMPS solidify their position as giants of the modern pop punk scene, consolidating their sound into an energetic and sharp album.
Opening track, The Constant, is a quintessential STATE CHAMPS song. Bursting out with powerful drums and guitars, it’s full of the attitude that you would expect from STATE CHAMPS. Whilst the lyrics are more on the simple side, their sharp delivery propels each song forwards. This is then followed and amplified by the dynamic and catchy single Silver Cloud. It’s a shining moment on the album, and sweeps you up with a big chorus and bouncing hook.
Throughout the album STATE CHAMPS consolidate their position as a band with reflection on where they have been. Clueless boasts fierce drums that add a heaviness that would fit comfortably on earlier albums such as The Finer Things. This return to heavier moments is also heard in the guitars and rhythms of Just A Dream. Such moments find the band building on previous strengths and reintroducing them into their sound.
Moments such as Hell Of It, Sobering and Just a Dream do however lean more towards a polished pop inflected pop-punk. They have catchy melodies, and they stand alone as quality tracks. Yet, the high points on this album find STATE CHAMPS delving a little bit deeper. These more melodic songs feel overshadowed and almost too polished in the midst of bigger moments.
The idea of reflection carries weight throughout the album’s thematic threads too. From haunting memories in the light-hearted Light Blue, to frustration at déjà vu in I Still Want To, STATE CHAMPS tackle the feeling face on. The resolution they come to is to embrace all of it, escape your head, and allow your heart to lead.
In this process, the album sees STATE CHAMPS turn to the confrontational. Calling out narrow minds on tracks like Tight Grip. Again, the lyrics are on the simpler side, but are delivered with a sharpness that hits the target each time. The track further amps up the album’s energy, with snappy melodies packing an extra punch to the song’s hooks.
Continuing this confrontational thread, penultimate track Save Face Story is the standout moment on the album. The song takes on a heavier edge with the grittier guitars and basslines. The bridge features funk infused hardcore band SLOPE, and then bursts out into a dynamic breakdown. This genre-bending edge stands out as a refreshing twist amongst the some of the more polished, and sometimes predictable moments. The track sees STATE CHAMPS suggesting new directions for their sound, and championing fresh talent in the process.
Closing out the album, Golden Days is an explosive track, packed full of the energy that has defined the album. Lyrically, the group again look back on the past and reckon with what that means to them now. In the tracks climactic energy, STATE CHAMPS confront the past, and embrace it to move forwards.
With bombastic choruses and plenty of ear worms, the album will find you invigorated, even if at times it feels bit predictable or squeaky clean. But, there are hints that this is not them standing still, offering an exciting landscape for the band to move forward from. At its heights, the album soars, and STATE CHAMPS use their self-titled album to make it known that their beating heart as a band is an energetic and unrelenting one full of passion.
Rating: 8/10
State Champs is out now via Pure Noise Records.
For more information on STATE CHAMPS like their official page on Facebook.