New York pop-punk band State Champs are back with their fifth studio album titled “State Champs”. This 12-track album blends their sound developed over the years, looking back on their roots while adding to it.
Typically, a band self-titles an album when they want to establish who they are and their message. However, State Champs stayed consistent with their well-known high-energy sound, catchy melodies and emotionally charged lyrics on this album.
The album kicks off with upbeat breakup songs about realizing someone isn’t who you thought they were. “The Constant” felt more like their overall style as a band. They continue with similar sound, “Silver Cloud” and “Clueless,”. Both having catchy lyrics and a punchy sound that makes the songs feel like you can dance and sing along to them. My personal favorite being “Silver Cloud”.
The first part of the album sets the scene with dealing with things after a breakup, but in a fun way.
The middle of the album starts to slow down instrumentally with songs “Light Blue,” “Too Late to Say” and “Hell of It,” capturing the reflective side of trying to approach an old love. These songs felt like they leaned into a more poppy sound with corny lyrics.
“Tight Grip” has fun and relatable lyrics about life and not taking it so seriously anymore, switching the album back to its original fast pace. “I Still Want To” felt the most relatable to a post-breakup and the things it makes you feel. It talks about how even though there’s nothing to talk to your ex about, at times you still find yourself wanting to talk to them.
The band’s emotional depth comes through with “Just a Dream” showing a youthful energy to pulling themselves together. State Champs wraps up by slowing down the album enough to close it out without ruining the overall upbeat vibe to an album dealing with a post breakup.
They provided an album with relatable songs you can dance along to while getting feelings from the lyrics, sad but happy. There is a noticeable change of emotions throughout showing how you realized someone isn’t around anymore, losing yourself a little in emotions to pulling yourself out of it all.
State Champ’s fifth album was a good description that combined their sound from over the years. In an interview with Rolling Stone, the band said this record was used as a defining statement to their career.
