The Finer Things, State Champs’ 2013 debut, is a sugar-rush of pop punk energy—tight, fast, and full of heart. It’s the sound of youth at full sprint what with its crashing drums, soaring hooks, and massive guitar hooks. There’s very much a mid-2000’s vibe to State Champs (think in the vein of New Found Glory and The Starting Line with a bit of Cartel thrown in) that I think appeals to millennials with an updated sound and production quality that is built for Gen Z. Every track feels built for shouting along in a sweaty basement or a summer festival crowd, with choruses that explode and never really let up. It has all of pop punk’s best traits (catchy, massive, energetic) while avoiding the common pitfalls of the genre that have grown tired (whininess, neurotic, misogynist). And that’s something I think we can all get behind.
Standout Songs: “Elevated”, “Prepare To Be Noticed”, “Remedy”
