Vancouver Pop-Punk Stalwarts Chief State Release New Single “April Showers” Off Upcoming LP ‘Keep Your Friends Closer’

Photo by Brandynn Leigh

Canadian pop-punk mainstays Chief State have released their new single and video, “April Showers,” the latest preview of their forthcoming full-length album Keep Your Friends Closer, due out April 17 via Mutant League Records. The track captures the band at their most urgent and emotionally resonant, pairing high-energy momentum with the introspective lyricism that has defined their rise.

https://youtu.be/63W3MrGEoQg?si=cJ1zdyG9pMP0rBQw

Produced, engineered, and mixed by Tim Creviston (Spiritbox, Youth Fountain) and mastered by Stu McKillop at Rain City Recorders, Keep Your Friends Closer pushes Chief State’s sound forward while staying rooted in the grit, melody, and vulnerability that have earned them a global following. The album documents a period of major transition for the band, ultimately emerging as their most collaborative and personal work to date.

The band explains:

“The album that very nearly didn’t happen. In 2023/24 we found ourselves in a game of musical chairs with members moving on to new paths. When Joe and I were the last two standing, we had to decide whether to continue or call it a day — so we wrote a song. That was all it took to reignite everything. This record is ten years of grit and determination. It’s about getting back up when you’re knocked down, about friendship, hardship, betrayal, love, anger, isolation — life. Recording again with our longtime producer Tim Creviston felt like watching the full potential of Chief State come together. It’s our most authentic, most collaborative, and best work to date.”— Fraser, Nik, Joseph, Bran & James

Having spent years touring across North America and beyond while releasing a string of acclaimed records, Chief State continue to cement their place at the forefront of modern pop-punk. Keep Your Friends Closer finds the band louder, sharper, and more driven than ever.

The band will celebrate the album’s arrival with a hometown appearance supporting Wheatus on April 13 at The Pearl in Vancouver, where Wheatus will perform their self-titled debut in full.

#CHIEFSTATE #MUSIC #NEWS #POPPUNK

Vancouver Pop-Punk Stalwarts Chief State Return With ‘Keep Your Friends Closer’

Photo by Brandynn Leigh

Canadian pop-punk mainstays Chief State have announced their new full-length album, Keep Your Friends Closer, due out April 17 via Mutant League Records. Alongside the announcement, the band has released the album’s title track as a new single, complete with an accompanying music video.

The single follows the October release of “No Brakes” and offers a sharp, emotionally charged snapshot of what’s to come on Keep Your Friends Closer — a record that captures Chief State at their most urgent, melodic, and honest.

Keep Your Friends Closer was produced, engineered, and mixed by Tim Creviston (Spiritbox, Youth Fountain) and mastered by Stu McKillop (Midnight Peg, By A Thread) at Rain City Recorders. The album channels the band’s signature blend of high-energy pop-punk and introspective lyricism, balancing grit and vulnerability while pushing their sound forward.

The band shares: 

“The album that very nearly didn’t happen! In 2023/24 we embarked on a game of musical chairs with band members. Such is life, friends move on and pursue other projects or choose to focus on a long neglected career. When Joe and I were the last two standing we were faced with the prospect of continuing or calling it a day, we did the one thing we know – wrote a song. All it takes is one song to get excited again, to convince your longest friend to rejoin, to persuade excellent musicians to join. Keep Your Friends Closer is the amalgamation of 10 years of grit and determination, it’s about getting back up when you’re knocked down, it’s the pursuit of a dream, it’s us, it’s Chief State. The album explores friendship, hardship, betrayal, love, anger, isolation – life. The fundamental lesson being that we should keep our loved ones closer, not just relate on the surface level but learn all there is to know about those we choose to spend time with. Letting true colours show, for better or for worse in the short term, will always be for the better in the long run. The writing process felt natural and effortless, crafting as true friends and brothers. When recording with our long term producer Tim Creviston, it felt like we were witnessing the full potential of Chief State coming together. Keep Your Friends Closer is our most authentic work to date, our most collaborative work to date and our best work to date! The album that very nearly didn’t happen, did happen and we can’t wait to share it with you.”- Fraser, Nik, Joseph, Bran, & James

Having spent years releasing acclaimed records, touring extensively across North America and beyond, and building a devoted global fanbase, Chief State continue to cement their place at the forefront of modern pop-punk. Keep Your Friends Closer finds the band louder, sharper, and hungrier than ever.

Chief State will also be supporting Wheatus at The Pearl in Vancouver on April 13th, where Wheatus will be performing their legendary self-titled debut album in full.

https://youtu.be/ZCnMDEyTQbY?si=XODmWv0aRk7HOMGm

#CHIEFSTATE #MUSIC #NEWS #POPPUNK

Chief State Hit Full Speed On Pop-Punk Anthem “No Brakes”

Photo by Arkin Pal

Canadian pop-punk staples Chief State roar back with “No Brakes,” their first release since 2023, produced by Tim Creviston and mastered by Stu McKillop. The track captures everything fans love about the band — breakneck rhythm, gritty honesty, and heartfelt choruses built for sing-alongs. Born from a real-life highway scare, “No Brakes” channels that rush of fear into pure sonic adrenaline. With years of touring and critically acclaimed records behind them, Chief State prove once again that modern pop-punk can still hit with passion and precision.

https://youtu.be/Ot-qSJMZN7Y?si=yq-SxWvBha0VGNFe

#CHIEFSTATE #MUSIC #NEWS

Beginning publishing of the 2022 Top 100 Artist list!
This list will update tonight on the Chart page of my website.
Here's 100-91:
100 #AbigailDowd
99 #TheBrehms
98 #SteveDawson
97 #Kalo
96 #GoldenShoals
95 #ChiefState
94 #Keelaghan
93 #BenBedford
92 #JesseTerry
91 #DanielleMiraglia