On September 23rd, 5 Seconds of Summer (5sos) released their fifth studio album “5SOS5.” This 19-track album displays the musical development of the band over the past two years since their fourth album “CALM” was released in 2020. Within a few weeks of its release, the album reached #1 on iTunes within various countries, including the U.S. and U.K., and peaked at #1 on the US Billboard 200 Albums chart as of October 6th.
I have been a fan of 5sos since 2014 when their self-titled debut album was released. I distinctly remember hearing “She Looks So Perfect” on the radio and asking my dad to put the entire album on my iPod touch immediately. As a fan of 8 years, it has been quite fun to see how the band continues developing their music.
My initial listen to “5SOS5” led to a mix of feelings about it. It was clear that the band experimented in the studio as the melodies and rhythms were entirely new to their sound. While new, it was still very much 5sos. It seems as though the band is still attempting to find their “sound” and are exploring new directions to take with their music. This isn’t a bad thing! I think it’s important for artists to continually experiment and develop. This 19-track album managed to explore various sounds but still kept it fairly cohesive in its themes. If you listen to the album in order, the transition from one song to the next can be jarring at times and almost seem random. However, I can understand the difficulty in placing 19 songs in a satisfying order. No matter the new sounds we hear from the band, the themes of this album are clear.
“5SOS5” showcases the struggles of maintaining healthy relationships while continuing to mature as an individual. The theme of this album explicitly displays the band’s growth from their debut album, which focused on youth and fun. Many of “5SOS5’s” tracks describe an individual trying to grow from their toxic traits but failing to quit the habit and, as a consequence, drag their partner down with them. “Me, Myself, and I”, “Easy For You To Say”, “Bad Omens”, “BLENDER”, and “Moodswings” all reflect this message. These songs describe the reality of complex adult relationships. Amidst the more “angsty” songs, we have love songs, such as “COMPLETE MESS”, “Older (feat. Sierra Deaton)”, and “HAZE.” Perhaps, the romantic songs in between the ones about struggle display how even amongst the toxicity and complexity, there can still be love within relationships. Throughout the album, you’ll never find a moment of indifferent emotion.
One thing I’ve always loved about 5sos’ music is the honesty about toxic behavior and negative feelings. In my personal experience, 5sos was the first influential artist that explicitly addressed their struggle with mental health in their songs. As a teenager, it was very comforting to feel as though my favorite band understood me. Their honesty is reflected throughout all their albums. “5SOS5” continues this trend in their admission of toxicity, bad habits, and lack of communication with the people in their lives. This truly reflects the reality of being human.
Overall, I thought the theme, the songwriting, and the general sound were well-done. This album particularly impressed me with the songwriting. The lyrics relay the message clearly yet metaphorically (as an English major, the temptation to analyze these songs is strong). 5sos made it clear they still have lots of artistry to give and have no desire to stop anytime soon. Thus far, my favorite tracks are “Easy For You to Say”, “You Don’t Go To Parties”, “Take My Hand”, and “Bleach”. If you find yourself in need of some new music, I strongly suggest giving “5SOS5” a listen. There are 19 tracks on the album so there’s surely a song for everyone!