State Champs Release Their Self-Titled Record.
by Renee Robbins | November 8th, 2024
In Early August, Albany-raised pop-punk band State Champs announced their 5th full-length album State Champs; a self-titled record that creates a perfect vision of every era of the band over their last decade together. When announcing the release, the band shared that the record embodies who they are as a band and accompanied the announcement with two singles from the album, Silver Cloud and Too Late to Say, which gave fans an early idea that this would be everything that State Champs has ever been, while still delivering new, punchy songs to add to their growing discography. Prior to the release of their self-titled album, fans also saw the release of track Light Blue, the fourth song from the twelve-track release. The three songs together set the perfect mood for the upcoming album, feeling like the previous work of the band was perfectly bundled into a new, electric record.
Upon first play of the album, established fans of the band might feel the sense of the band's discography wrap around them. Opening track The Constant immediately creates a familiar feeling that feels like an extension of their previous music in a way that makes sense. Though the band has made a massive name for themselves in the scene, the track still includes a sound that would easily entice any new-listener. The first track off the album is a strong start, offering a melodic and fun beat while describing feelings of someone who was a constant in your life, enough though that really shouldn’t have been because of how they treated you.
“While I was dreaming, you were scheming” / “Trying to figure out how the fuck you sleep at night”
Photo by Manuel Barajas
In true fashion of the band, a sadly-relatable topic is paired with a high-energy beat that makes you ready to hear the rest of the album.
As the record continues, it’s clear that this new era of State Champs is a strong one. When spoken to about the album, frontman Derek DiScanio shared “We found our way, through the ups and downs within us, personally and as a band, and wanted to express that,” followed by bassist Ryan Graham Scott adding “This is the right time to showcase it. When we stepped back and looked at the songs, sonically and thematically, it’s a great vision of who we are. Every era of State Champs exists within this record,” in agreement with DiScanio. Like any great band that’s been together for years, you’ll find changes and shaping in their music, and with this new record State Champs finds a perfect way to create something that represents them as a band perfectly but still feels like stepping forward to continue to pave the way in the world of pop-punk.
Photo by Manuel Barajas
Navigating through emotions of love, frustration, sadness, loss of interest, happiness, and anger (among others), the album’s upbeat energy and continuously fun edginess presents the tracks in a way that bounces from one feeling to another, while still keeping the same liveliness that the group is known for. One second you’re completely over a toxic relationship with Sobering and the next you're reliving memories and reminiscing on life with Just a Dream all while able to head-bang and dance your way through whatever emotion the track is bringing you through; something that isn’t uncommon for the outfit. Produced by Anton DeLost, the record perfectly encapsulated all that State Champs is and continues to show the world what they’re going to continue to be.
As the records come to a close, 11th track Save Face Story includes the album's only feature; vocals from band Slope. The addition of the feature creates the perfect difference for tracks that otherwise all had a very similar sound and flow, adding a contrast to the album that feels well-placed and needed. Concluding the self-titled album is closing track Golden Years; the perfect summary of feelings of growing older and moving on to different things in your life. Lyrics such as “What happens after today? Will good things stay the same?” / “Even good things have to change,” encapsulates the daunting feeling of not knowing what comes next and creates a feeling of being ready to move forward. After walking through different emotions that life can throw at you, Golden Years creates a story-ending sense of peace while still maintaining the same energy that the entire album holds.
Overall, State Champs is a cohesive, fun, energetic album and creates a perfect addition to the band's growing discography. The self-titled record feels like the perfect compilation of the band’s sound and energy, while also summing up with a sense of moving forward into new chapters. State Champs has spent fifteen years together and it becomes evident in their self-titled that they can grow and change together, while still delivering the same music that fans have spent the last decade loving.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
November 8, 2024 - Austin, TX
November 9, 2024 - Dallas, TX
November 11, 2024 - Phoenix, AZ
November 13, 2024 - Anaheim, CA
November 14, 2024 - Berkeley, CA
November 15, 2024 - Portland, OR
November 16, 2024 - Seattle, WA
November 18, 2024 - Salt Lake City, UT
November 19, 2024 -Denver, CO
November 22, 2024 -Detroit, MI
November 23, 2024 - Indianpolis, IN
November 24, 2024 - Cleveland, OH
November 26, 2024 - Toronto, ON
November 27, 2024 - Cincinnati, OH
November 29, 2024 - Nashville, TN
November 30, 2024 - Atlanta, GA
December 1, 2024 -Orlando, FL
December 3, 2024 -Silver Springs, MD
December 4, 2024 - Boston, MA
December 6, 2024 - Philadelphia, PA
December 7, 2024 - New York, NY
Openers: Knuckle Puck, Meet Me @ The Altar, Daisy Grenade
Listen to State Champs Here
