5 Seconds of Summer released its fifth studio album “5SOS5” on Friday. The band celebrated the album with a special live stream concert at Royal Albert Hall titled “The Feeling of Falling Upwards.”
"5SOS5" implements the multi-part harmonies the band has used over its last two albums. “COMPLETE MESS,” one of the singles off the album, uses multi-part harmony to build depth into the vocals. The same can be said for the track “Bad Omens.” The groups’ voices blend well together to create an airiness on the tracks, which aligns with its style.
The singles off of "5SOS5" gave a perfect taste of what was to come. However, “Older” was one of the most unique tracks on the album. Lead singer Luke Hemmings teamed up with fiance Sierra Deaton to create a haunting follow-up to “Ghost of You '' off of 2018’s “Youngblood.” The simple piano gives a sad twist to the sorta-love song.
5 Seconds of Summer knows how to switch hats from song to song. Drummer Ashton Irwin takes the reins for a portion of the vocals on “You Don’t Go To Parties” and does a majority of the work on “Caramel.” Irwin always makes a short appearance behind the mic; however, it is nice to see his role as a vocalist growing.
“Caramel” is one of the best songs on the album. The title references brown liquor, but the song is about more than drinking. Hemmings and Irwin croon, “It used to be easy//Now you can’t look me in the eye//A visceral feeling that I can never leave behind.” The two sing about a love that held them so tight at one point, that it felt like home, but now it is gone. The song hits hard for anyone who has experienced a round-and-round connection.
The same can be said for “You Never Go To Parties.” 5 Seconds of Summer taps back into its ability to recount a lost love on the track. Hemmings sings, “I got the last five years running out my mouth//always stay too late I should kick me out,” about a person who yearns for the love they once had. The singer recounts every person they have ever met, but can’t seem to find the one they are looking for.
Of all the singles off of “5SOS5,” “BLENDER” is the best. The kick of the drum and the urgency of Hemmings’ vocals work the listener into a frenzy, which is what the song is about. It’s a perfect song about romantic relationship frustration.
The band may have moved away from the pop-punk genre, but it does return to its roots on “Emotions.” Michael Clifford produced the track, co-wrote it and performed lead vocals. Clifford sheds his traditional sad pieces with a slightly-happier track about accepting emotions, even if they are all-consuming.
Overall, the album is cohesive. The bright aura seamlessly transitions from track to track. 5 Seconds of Summer breathed life into its new sound with "5SOS5" and solidified its spot as a group that does it all. The album sounds like the soundtrack to a coming-of-age film in the best way.
Rating: 4.5/5
