REVIEW: Chief State - Keep Your Friends Closer

One of the most exciting pop punk bands to emerge from Canada since SUM 41 and SIMPLE PLAN, CHIEF STATE present their third studio album, Keep Your Friends Closer.

Hailing from Vancouver, the five-piece channel the essence of pop punk with precision. Emo-laced melodies collide with driving rhythms, while their lyrics explore friendship, loss, and self-discovery with clarity and intent. The album captures the nostalgia of early 2000s pop punk without feeling derivative, striking a balance between homage and progression.

No Brakes launches the album with immediate impact. A distorted guitar intro quickly gives way to a relentless, high-tempo burst of energy. The interplay between lead guitar and vocals is particularly sharp, locking together with a level of cohesion that elevates the track beyond a standard opener. Resonate draws heavily on nostalgic pop punk elements, building from a familiar opening into a tightly crafted anthem. The hook is immediate and impactful, while the lyrics strike an emotional chord without becoming overindulgent. It’s easily one of the album’s strongest moments.

April Showers introduces a more dynamic structure. Beginning with a stripped-back, almost off-the-cuff drum entrance, it transitions into isolated vocals before expanding into a full, driving arrangement. The shifts in tempo and pacing are handled with confidence, adding tension and release without sacrificing flow. DAMN! continues the album’s momentum with a polished, radio-inspired opening. Built on layered harmonies and a fluid progression, it feels engineered for crowd interaction. There’s a natural accessibility here that doesn’t compromise the band’s edge.

Metaphors slows things down slightly, bringing a more introspective tone to the forefront. The song-writing leans into reflection, supported by textured guitar work and spacious production. It’s a track that prioritises atmosphere as much as melody. Can’t Let Go shifts gears again, introducing a grittier, more rugged sound. There’s a rawness in both delivery and structure that adds depth to the album’s pacing. The closing moments, with repeated vocal echoes, leave a lasting impression.

Paranoia arrives with force, cutting through the previous track’s fade-out with a sharper, more aggressive edge. The contrast between its jagged verses and smoother, rolling chorus creates a compelling push and pull. A guest appearance from STU ROSS adds further intensity, his harsher vocal tone reinforcing the track’s urgency. Over It continues this heavier trajectory. It reimagines the familiar themes of a pop punk breakup song through a more confrontational lens. The instrumentation feels tighter, the delivery more forceful, resulting in one of the album’s most emotionally charged performances.

Falling reintroduces a more traditional pop punk sound. While it doesn’t demand the same attention as earlier tracks, it feels somewhat formulaic and lacks the dynamism found elsewhere on the album. It’s not a weak song, but it struggles to stand alongside the stronger material. Loser offers a stylistic detour, embracing a lighter, more playful tone. Its upbeat, slightly offbeat energy recalls the influence of WHEATUS, giving it a distinctive character within the tracklist. Positioned where it is, the track adds variety without disrupting cohesion.

Somebody strips things back to a more grounded, guitar-driven core. The instrumentation feels direct and unpolished in the best way, allowing the rhythm section to anchor the track. It builds steadily, serving as a strong lead-in to the closing moments of the album. The title track, Keep Your Friends Closer, brings everything to a measured and reflective close. Opening with a restrained a cappella section, it gradually expands into a layered and emotionally resonant finale. As both the album’s namesake and conclusion, it carries a sense of intent, tying together the themes explored throughout.

CHIEF STATE’s longevity is no accident. Over the past decade, they have refined their sound while staying true to the foundations of the genre. Keep Your Friends Closer feels purposeful and cohesive, capturing a band fully aware of their strengths. It’s an album that not only reinforces their place within pop punk but also signals continued momentum.

Score: 8/10

Keep Your Friends Closer will be released on 17th April 2026 via Mutant League Records.

Words: David Waites

Photos: Brandynn Leigh