Making waves in the pop-punk genre, the State Champs have deemed the name ‘Kings of New Age.’ PHOTO CREDIT: Readdork.com
Perhaps claiming to be the Kings of a supposed “New Age” seems a bit overconfident; a bit cocky. However, it’s a title and crown that Albany, New York’s own “State Champs” have been patiently waiting to wear. Oh, and they’re more than ready for it.
As the first few notes of Kings of the New Age’s opening track “Here to Stay” ring around in my headphones, I can’t help but crack a smile. The album just has that effect on me. So, as I sat thinking back on my favorite albums of the past year, it was a no brainer as to which sat atop the throne.
Pop-punk is a genre that has long been close to my heart. Groups like Green Day, Blink-182 and the All-American Rejects all being favorites of mine. The melodramatic lyrics, buzzing guitars and slamming drums always spoke to me in ways that no other kind of music did. Although it’s certainly decreased in popularity since its peak in the early 2000s. Artists like Machine Gun Kelly have, for better or worse, helped revitalize interest in the genre.
Since 2013, with the release of their album “The Finer Things,” State Champs have been making waves of their own in the pop-punk scene.
Led by the roaring voice of lead-singer Derek DiScanio, the four piece band have built a strong collective of cult-like followers, many of whom (myself included) accompanied them at one of the stops along their country-wide “Kings of the New Age” tour this past year. I suppose if there ever was a time for such a statement making album, it was then.
At 11 songs, “Kings of a New Age” is a relatively quick listen, a pace which is only further picked-up by the overwhelming catchiness of each tune on the tracklist. However, that isn’t to say that State Champs leave more to be desired. Songs like “Here to Stay” and “Everybody but You” featuring Ben Barlow of Neck Deep, set the pace early on as confidence-oozing songs about breaking free from the past and moving onto a brighter future. Songs like “Fake It,” “Act Like That” and “Just Sound” are simply just pure fun to listen to and scream along with.
But it’s not all fun and games, with songs like “Half Empty (feat. Chrissy Costanza)” and “Sundress (feat. Four Year Strong)” chiming in with a more serious tone as the band ponders what life feels like when you finally find your person.
By far my favorite track on the album is “Sundress,” which manages to both infuse a more emotional set of lyrics, as well as maintaining the fun and uplifting energy the previous songs had so ferociously built up. Even one of my closest friends, who generally dismisses my music taste as “angsty”, said he liked the song.
But, as much as I love the album, I’d also like to try and be realistic: if you don’t like rock or pop-punk, or loud up-in-your-face music, more than likely this album won’t be for you. However, if you do, then I think there’s a pretty good chance you’ll have just as much fun with it as I did.