At the end of 2025, the release of the ‘No Brakes’ single found Vancouver’s Chief State in great form. Sounding like a tribute to the melodic punk sounds of the late 90s, the track fused the thunderous rhythmic qualities of peak No Use For A Name with the poppier edges of Sum 41, utilising strong harmony vocals throughout. Although a really melodic chorus should’ve been the track’s best feature, the already impressive performance boasted an even better middle eight where the pop punk riffs gave way to something a little sharper, showing how tight the band’s rhythm section could be.
A follow up single, ‘Keep Your Friends Closer’ teased with something even more melodic via an emo-tinged intro and with a massive harmony driven chorus. The track came with an unabashed retro quality, but the band proved it was better to take an established style and absolutely nail it than attempt to push boundaries but miss the mark.
Their current release ‘April Showers’ – coming ahead of the new album – is every bit as strong, despite putting the focus back on some of Chief State’s tougher edges. With the opening verse featuring an unaccompanied vocal from Fraser Simpson, the number aims to grab the attention immediately, then, having done so, the band launch into a barrage of punky riffs that sound like a more melodic Strike Anywhere colliding with Neck Deep, if only they had more of an attitude.
Throughout these two and a half minutes, drummer Bran’s playing is immense, showing an ability to lock into a really tight and fast performance, despite the wall of vocals suggesting that he’s actually going against the very melodic aspects of the chorus. Those vocals, meanwhile, present some of the band’s very best to date. The short track arrives in a manner that invites the audience to sit up and take notice, then never lets up. It might sound like hype, but pretty much every element here is peak Chief State, a band who sound as if they’re driving a very familiar sound to new heights. In terms of an album preview, fans could not ask for anything better.
Watch the new video below.