Eleven years on from marking their arrival with ‘The Finer Things’, New Yorkers State Champs have maintained their status as being on the sunnier side of pop-punk. Like many others before them, State Champs‘ fifth full-length effort is self-titled in an attempt to define their longevity. It’s an aim that they just about achieve. On the surface, this is very much a part and parcel State Champs album. It’s filled with an abundance of energetic hooks and punchy choruses that are sure to satisfy casual fans. However, if you’re wanting something more from the four-piece, you might be disappointed.
There’s no doubt that lead singer Derek DiScanio, bassist Ryan Scott Graham, guitarist Tyler Szalkowski, and drummer Evan Ambrosio can provide pop-punk bangers aplenty. ‘Light Blue’ and ‘Silver Cloud’ quickly serve their purpose. Whereas ‘Too Late To Say’ drives forward with a confident bounce, as well as some impressive percussion work from Ambrosio in the middle.
The aforementioned ‘Silver Cloud’ highlights the quartet’s experience and ability to deliver melodic earworms. For the most part, State Champs are able to pull this off with ease. However, when ‘Hell Of It’ attempts to stir up some late-night carefree vibes, it becomes a victim of some clunky rhyming; “drinking that shit wine, rewind, bring us back sunshine, realise”.
The problem with State Champs that after five albums, they’ve dug themselves into a stylistic hole that is expected of them and that they can’t seemingly get out of. At least lyrically there are glimpses of vulnerability. On ‘Golden Years’ and the buoyant ‘Too Late To Say’ shows signs of DiScanio of coming to grips of being in his 30’s. With his band members scattered across the country, settling down etc, Derek’s lyrics tend to be reflective. ‘Just A Dream’ pluckily reminiscences of “better days” yet allows him to admit to living within himself. However, it’s countered by expected moments aimed at shitty ex’s such as ‘Sobering’, ‘I Still Want To,’ and ‘Clueless’. Even though the latter shows signs of introspection as DiScanio sings “Why do I do this, Put myself through it, I’m feeling stupid.”
On this evidence, State Champs aren’t likely to excel to legendary status in the pop-punk sphere anytime soon. However, ‘State Champs’ serves its purpose as being a reminder of the quartet’s melodic prowess. If you want 12 slices of hook-filled, occasionally introspective, pop-punk then State Champs are certified winners in doing just that.
‘State Champs’ by State Champs is out now on Pure Noise Records.
