Over the past three years, the new wave of pop-punk has been fearlessly led by State Champs. Every release is like a hard-hitting wake up call saying “now this is pop-punk music”, that you just want to listen to until you can tell each song by the first two seconds of guitar. There’s no doubt that their sound is bringing a new outlook on how being tough can also mean being emotionally honest, both musically and lyrically. It’s hard not to be stuck in orbit around State Champs’ world after just one listen of their newest release.

Around The World And Back is an album filled with life experiences, and each song takes you to a different place. This is not surprising, since the theme of the album is discovering yourself in both the best and worst traits you have. You’re forced to deal with things you don’t want to, because there’s no living with your “Eyes Closed” when State Champs is involved. The wide range of emotions, with a constant back and forth, makes Around The World And Back your go to “scream out my feels on long drives” album of the year.

While you can definitely hear the traditional pop-punk influences in the album, State Champs really seems to have pulled on the natural progression of their previous releases. DiScanio’s voice is so essentially pop-punk in it’s performance, and is only matched by the dynamic music behind it. While the band is more focused on travelling around this world, soon everyone will be begging to spin alongside their orbit. They’ve managed to make this scene fun again, and that’s something any universe can get in line with.

In the end: Buy it! The world needs more intense and hard-hitting “deal with your shit” albums, and State Champs isn’t afraid to go there.