5 Seconds of Summer released their fifth studio album, 5SOS5. Mainly written by the band, guitarist Michael Clifford led the production of their highly-anticipated album, as the record charted #2 on the Billboard Top 200 This album includes their last 4 singles, all of which have garnished the band’s success. 5SOS5 will be the first of their albums to be released independently with the partnership of BMG.
5 Seconds of Summer could not have picked a better song to open their album. “Complete Mess” draws you in from the very first note. Michael Clifford’s voice shines through in this song like the sun. With a song with over 40 million plays on Spotify alone, you would not expect anything less than a track with instrumentals to steal your heart.
If 5 Seconds of Summer can do anything, it is to write a song that makes me fall in love and experience that heartbreak, all within 3 minutes. “Easy For You To Say” not only shows us that but sets an example for all other songs on this album. Luke Hemmings has a voice like honey.
There is always one song on a 5SOS album that I would kill to hear live, and “Bad Omens” is that song for this album. The instrumental and vocals building together would create an out-of-body experience live.
“Me, Myself & I” is my favorite single from this album. I have caught myself humming it almost every day since its release. Luke Hemmings’ vocals in this song completely entrance me. The instrumentals of this song are beautiful and intriguing.
“Take My Hand – Joshua Tree Version” takes the trophy for the longest song of the album. This is my favorite version of this single. The entire song is a work of art, and the final bridge is by far my favorite section of this song because the vocals shine.
Leave it to 5SOS to write a song that’s completely upbeat in tempo and yet you can feel desperation and sadness in its Lyrics. “CAROUSEL” makes me debate whether I should dance along to the tempo or lay on the floor and dissociate from the lyrics.
There is no 5SOS song like “Older (feat. Sierra Deaton)” due to the innate beauty in this song. Luke and Sierra’s vocals blend into something comparable to a choir of angels. If I could go back to my wedding and marry my husband a second time, I would dance with him to this song.
“Haze” feels like a fever dream, so if that was their mission with this song, then I can tell you that they accomplished it. If you were to pair this song with a long drive in your car and the windows down, then that would be medicine for the soul.
As I went into this album, I expected to hear vocal maturity, but I did not expect the kind of change you can hear in Ashton’s vocals. “You Don’t Go To Parties” is very reminiscent of their early albums, something every fan can appreciate.
“BLENDER” was the single on this album that was everywhere on my social media. The mania in the fandom was insane, and this single is well worth that hype. This song might be the shortest song on this album at two minutes and 27 seconds, but that does not discount its worth.
Those of the fandom who love harmonies between Luke and Ashton will adore “Caramel.” This track feels like a dream due to the guitar being charming and perfectly complementing the vocals. I would give anything to feel the way this song makes me feel every day of my life.
“Best Friends” is a high-energy song that is so full of love. You can easily tell that these men are best friends who appreciate what they do and they love doing it together. I experienced nostalgia for Sounds Good Feels Good while listening to this song.
“Bleach” tore me apart. This track is devastatingly beautiful that I could not help but tear up listening to it. The melody before the chorus deserves all the praise you could give it.
If your favorite 5SOS album is Youngblood, then “Red Line” might be your favorite song on this album. It is so reminiscent of their previous album that I am surprised this song was not featured on it. I adore the outro in this song.
“Moodswings” is the track on this album where 5SOS vocals radiate perfection. The crowd harmonizing with this song would be heaven, and I truly think I could fall asleep to that feeling alone.
5SOS is not afraid to experiment with their sound, and “Flatline” shows that and proves that it is a genius idea on their part. I adore the pre-chorus in this song. I find myself doing a little dance in my desk chair when I listen to this song. This song would be perfect for a movie montage.
“Emotions” is what would happen if “Jet Black Heart” had an emotionally mature cousin that knew where they went wrong in their lives. This song is purely Michael and exactly what this album needed.
The intro to “Bloodhound” is what every good fever dream is made of. I love every aspect of this song. If they ever produce a music video for this song, it needs to be reminiscent of every good teen movie party scene.
“TEARS!” is the perfect track to end an album with. This song feels so much like Ashton’s Superbloom. We have to appreciate Ashton’s writing with this track.
This album certainly did not feel like it was 19 tracks long. I lost myself completely in my listening and do not know if I want to come back from the place this album took me. I await the tour announcement for this album.
