Living Proof’s slower songs serve as the best evidence of State Champs’ growth. “The Fixup,” co-written by All Time Low frontman and previous collaborator Alex Gaskarth, has complex lyrics (it’s commendable how they managed to weave the word “complacency” into the melody). Perhaps the most impressive offering is the heart-wrenching and dark piano ballad “Time Machine”, featuring Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus, who also helped write the track. The song is the most thought-out and fully realized on the album, layered with background vocals and strings.

Of course, the band excel where they always have – with their faster, louder pop-punk songs. Album-opener “Criminal” is a throwback to an earlier era of pop-punk, but is polished and demonstrates State Champs’ progression and skill. Lead single “Dead and Gone”, also co-written by Hoppus, has an infectious boldness along with brutally but refreshingly honest lyrics. Living Proof highlights State Champs’ ability to write dynamic songs, particularly “Safe Haven” and “Crystal Ball”. The album is full of standout tracks which are all worthy of becoming singles, such as “Cut through the Static,” a compelling blend of old and new State Champs. Unfortunately, not every song strikes that balance as well. “Our Time to Go” and “Lightning” sound too familiar while “Something about You” sounds like it could have come off of 2013’s The Finer Things.

Throughout the album, State Champs demonstrate impeccable musical skill. The instrumentation is exceptional in its precision and intricacy, with vocalist Derek DiScanio giving his best performance – bold, commanding and dynamic. The songs are, as State Champs have always offered, exemplary modern pop-punk. Selling out and a stark shift in sound were big concerns surrounding this album, but State Champs is unshaken in their style. It’s nice to have a band that is so clear and confident in its identity since day one and to have been able to produce such consistently strong offerings their entire career. There is no doubt that Living Proof is an outstanding pop-punk album.

The question with Living Proof is whether State Champs have grown enough. The band took more risks this time. The album is dynamic and showcases more of their abilities musically. While the songs on the record are all solid, many of them show little differentiation from earlier material. Some even feel a step backwards from their last album, 2015’s Around the World and Back. The album is a cross between State Champs’ other releases: while it’s not as polished and pop-sounding as Around the World and Back, it’s not as raw as The Finer Things. For three years, it doesn’t feel like enough of a progression. At this point in their career, they should be experimenting in different directions instead of oscillating between the spectrum markers of pop and punk. But they’ve pulled off pop-punk pretty well.