'5SOS5' elevates 5SOS beyond boyband stereotypes
The Australian band 5 Seconds of Summer is known for a lot of things. The band opened for One Direction’s “Take Me Home” tour, released hit singles like “She Looks So Perfect” and “Youngblood” and were a huge part of the pop-punk phenomenon that occurred among teenagers in the 2010s.
As a band, the members have grown exponentially since their younger years, expanding on style, genres, performances and themes within their music. The group's latest body of work titled “5SOS5,” symbolizes how far the musicians have come not just as a collective but also as individual people.
“5SOS5” was released on September 23 as the group’s fifth studio album. Top to bottom, it’s relatively lengthy, consisting of 19 songs. It begins with “COMPLETE MESS,” the lead single, and it served as a strong indicator of the direction they’re headed in.
“This song was the first time in the writing process that the band really felt we got it right. We had found our sound and knew what we were aiming for,” said 5SOS when asked about the song.
It’s not one of my favorites, but "COMPLETE MESS" is definitely something I can put in the background and sing along to. This album has so many strong points, and each song is individually crafted in its own unique way while ultimately contributing to a larger story.
A great example of this is “Bad Omens,” which serves as the album's third track. When I first heard it, it felt like such an intimate experience, as if lead singer Luke Hemmings was singing directly to me.
You could feel the urgency as the pre-chorus builds up, and the rest of the band joins in. It ends with this movie-like outro, every note reverberating through the speaker. I’ve listened to this one at least 100 times since its release, and it never gets old. It's definitely my personal favorite off the album!
“Bad Omens” is one of many songs on “5SOS5” that explores themes of holding on versus letting go of tense relationships. “Me Myself & I,” “You Don’t Go To Parties,” “Caramel” and “Moodswings” are more examples. I love all of these and how they each have a different and specific take on a relationship falling apart. It poses the question, “Where do I go from here?”
This album definitely feels more introspective and deeply layered than 5SOS's previous work, and it’s a true testament to the band's growth in the spotlight and really understanding what works for the group as artists.
Another major theme here is nostalgia and reflecting on the past, which can be found in songs such as “Easy For You To Say,” “Take My Hand - Joshua Tree Version,” “CAROUSEL,” “Bleach” and “Red Line.” Listening to them feels like all the walls have come crumbling down, and you’re left with this direct access to these lyrics and their thoughts, nothing left unseen.
“Bleach” is my second favorite off of the album. It has this haunting echo to it that creates this sense of loneliness while listening. While the production may sound energetic and uplifiting, the words tell an entirely different story, and it’s this contrast that makes the listening experience truly phenomenal. It’s a trademark technique in 5SOS’s music and closely aligns with the sound that the band has cultivated over the years.
5SOS has openly spoken about how the group is trying to have more autonomy over its art and its production, from both a musical and business perspective. On “5SOS5,” the musicians spent more time working on lyrics together. Along with other co-writers, guitarist Michael Clifford spearheaded much of the production. All of these factors combined allowed for the album to be so rich in creation and vulnerable in nature, and it shows a real maturity since the members' teenage years.
I can’t say enough good things about this album! It reminds me of walking on campus on a crisp autumn day, reflecting on my life and getting through it all with the people that I love. I’m excited to see what the future holds for 5SOS and how the band will go about touring “5SOS5.”
