The Acoustic Things by State Champs

I'm such a sucker for a pop punk acoustic album and State Champs prove exactly why with their latest EP, The Acoustic Things. The EP features five songs from their 2013 album, The Finer Things, and also two new songs written especially for acoustic tones.

It's a heartmelter. I think it could even make a grown man go all gooey and soft because not only are the lyrics heartfelt and possibly even more beautiful acoustically, but Derek Discanio's voice is just so light and loveable. It has the classic pop-punk tone: it's whiney but has some throat to it and you absolutely love it.

Naturally, the first five tracks on the EP are gorgeous. They're still favourites from the LP and it's a testament to State Champs that their music is dynamic enough to carry an acoustic sound as well as the thrashy pop punk it originally embodied. What should really be spoken about on this EP however is the two new tracks that the album ends with. Leave You In The Dark is pretty but it's EP closer, If I'm Lucky that is the true gem of the EP. I don't think it's possible to get sick of hearing Derek sing "hello beautiful" and "hello sunshine" which is a good thing considering this EP will be on repeat for a long time to come yet.

9/10

Listen to: If I'm Lucky