Vancouver Pop-Punk Outfit Chief State Releases Sophomore Album, ’Keep Your Friends Closer’ via Mutant League Records
Photo Credit: Arkin Pal
Vancouver Pop-Punk Outfit Chief State Releases Sophomore Album, ‘Keep Your Friends Closer’ via Mutant League Records
Vancouver, BC — Canadian pop-punk standouts Chief State have released their sophomore album Keep Your Friends Closer via Mutant League Records. Fast, punchy, and packed with the band’s signature melodic urgency, the LP captures Chief State stepping confidently into a bold new chapter.
Listen here:
https://orcd.co/zbeazox
Produced, engineered, and mixed by Tim Creviston (Spiritbox, Youth Fountain) and mastered by Stu McKillop at Rain City Recorders, Keep Your Friends Closer finds Chief State leaning into a more collaborative and fully realized sound. The record captures the band navigating a period of major change while doubling down on the grit, honesty, and soaring hooks that have fueled their rise within modern pop-punk.
With years of relentless touring across North America and a growing international fanbase, Chief State have steadily carved out a place among the genre’s most exciting contemporary voices. Keep Your Friends Closer builds on that momentum with sharper songwriting, bigger choruses, and a renewed sense of purpose.
The band is celebrating the album’s arrival with an official album release show set for May 9th at The Pearl, with support from Dead Churches and Darryl Saves Lives.
Keep Your Friends Closer — Album Credits
All songs written and performed by Chief State
Produced, engineered, and mixed by Tim Creviston
Mastered by Stu McKillop at Rain City Recorders
Drums recorded at Phony Records
Assistant drum engineering by Michael Kenyon
Guest vocals on “Paranoia” by Stu Ross (Comeback Kid)
Additional bridge melodies on “No Brakes” by Sarah Christine
Album photography by Brandynn Leigh
Artwork arrangement by Yossarian Creative
Links
Order exclusive merch + limited vinyl colorways:
https://www.mutantleaguerecords.com/
Digital album (Keep Your Friends Closer):
https://orcd.co/kyfc
About Chief State
Hailing from Vancouver, BC, Chief State have emerged as one of Canada’s most exciting pop-punk exports. Blending emo-tinged grit with soaring melodies and driving rhythms, the band delivers heartfelt anthems rooted in vulnerability and urgency. With years of touring and acclaimed releases behind them, Chief State continue to push their sound forward while staying true to the emotional core that defines the genre.
