Vancouver, BC — Canadian pop-punk standouts Chief State have unleashed their high-energy new single and music video “DAMN!,” the final preview of their upcoming sophomore album Keep Your Friends Closer, arriving April 17 via Mutant League Records. Fast, punchy, and packed with the band’s signature melodic urgency, the track captures Chief State stepping confidently into a bold new chapter.
“DAMN!” holds special significance for the band, marking the first song written collaboratively with Chief State’s current lineup. Rather than piecing songs together from individual demos, the band approached the track as a full-group writing session from the ground up — a process that helped redefine the band’s chemistry and creative direction.
“‘DAMN!’ was the first song we wrote together with the new lineup. It was also the first time we had ever gotten into a room to write a song from scratch as a unit,” says vocalist Fraser Simpson. “Previously we would write songs individually and then edit parts together from there. The process felt extremely creative — everybody got to contribute and the final song really represents what Chief State is going forward.
“We even managed to sneak in an obscure lyric. On the day we were talking about a local company called Mr Mattress because they have a sick logo and merch. We challenged ourselves to fit in the word ‘mattress’ and I think we’ve managed to pull it off pretty seamlessly to be honest!
“We couldn’t be happier to be sharing this final single before the drop of our sophomore album, ‘Keep Your Friends Closer.’ This is our best body of work to date and we can’t wait for everyone to hear the rest of the album!”
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 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. Tickets are available HERE. An official album release show is set for May 9th at The Pearl with support from Dead Churches and Darryl Saves Lives. Get tickets HERE.
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
Pre-order exclusive merch + limited vinyl colorways
Digital album pre-save (Keep Your Friends Closer)
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.
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