Sunshine State of Mind
We the Kings · 2011
33 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock
Bright melodies and upbeat rhythms encapsulate the carefree spirit of summer, blending pop-punk energy with alternative rock sensibilities.
Top tracks — play these first
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Say You Like Me — This track features infectious hooks and relatable lyrics about young love, representing the album's overall theme of optimism and emotional connection.
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Every Single Dollar — The song's reflective nature discusses financial struggles while maintaining an upbeat tempo, making it both introspective and accessible.
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Kiss Me Last — With its romantic narrative and catchy chorus, this track embodies the band's signature sound and resonates deeply with fans of pop-punk.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features catchy melodies and solid production but lacks significant depth or innovation.
What we noticed
- Several songs incorporate layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the pop-punk feel.
- The last two tracks slow down the tempo significantly, creating a contrast with the preceding songs and allowing for a reflective conclusion.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short, energetic listening bursts
- carefree summer vibes
- catchy melodies for sing-alongs
- upbeat road trip soundtrack
- feel-good mood lifters
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on July 5, 2011, Sunshine State of Mind was We the Kings' third studio album, following their self-titled debut and the more commercially successful Smile Kid. At this point, the band was refining their sound while striving to maintain relevance in a rapidly changing music landscape characterized by shifting tastes toward more electronic influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- All Time Low· Simple Plan· Mayday Parade
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Friday Is Forever 3:04
- 2 Say You Like Me 3:30
- 3 Every Single Dollar 2:53
- 4 The View From Here 4:05
- 5 The Secret to New York 3:02
- 6 Sleep With Me 3:41
- 7 Over You 3:27
- 8 Kiss Me Last 2:56
- 9 Somebody to Call My Own 3:53
- 10 You and Only You 3:06
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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