In 2011, the Australian band 5 Seconds of Summer, comprising lead guitarists Michael Clifford and Luke Hemmings, bassist Calum Hood and drummer Ashton Irwin, was formed.
In its early days, the band was labeled as a boy band, but it rejected that label, expressing how the label posed the question: “How are we ever going to grow up?”
On Nov. 14, the band released its sixth studio album titled “EVERYONE’S A STAR!” where the band comes to embrace the boy band label, coming full circle from its debut.
The band reunites after a three-year hiatus, during which each member released their own solo projects. On this latest album, the band discusses what being labeled a boy band has done to the member’s careers and personal lives.
The album blends the band’s previous sounds, like an 80s synth sound similar to the one used in “Youngblood,” and, of course, a modern rock sound mixed with pop.
The album starts with the title track “Everyone’s A Star!” This track immediately grabs the listener’s attention, setting the tone for the album. The song discusses the challenges of being yourself in a world that prioritizes fame, with one of the opening lines being, “That’s the story we’ll tell.”
The entire album explores the challenges that come with fame, as the next track, “NOT OK,” lends itself to a more self-reflective song. The band members ask themselves, “Where did the good boy go?” and reflect on how much fame changed them for the worse in their younger years.
Track three, “Telephone Busy,” features the vocals of drummer Irwin, who, until more recent albums, did not sing often on the band’s songs. The upbeat dance song centers on romantic relationships and how they are harder to maintain with fame.
“Boyband” directly addresses the challenges of being a boy band, including the parasocial relationships and the lack of recognition of musicality that comes with the stigma of the label. The band directly critiques the world’s obsession with the boy band image.
“No. 1 Obession” builds off of the commentary of “Boyband” with lyrics such as, “I’m dying for a little bit of your affection.” Although the band does not like the pervasive boundaries that come with parasocial relationships with fans, it needs the attention to thrive.
The album slows down with the track “I’m Scared I’ll Never Sleep Again,” a song that focuses more on learning within relationships. The song is similar to the writings and sounds of Matty Healy of The 1975. Although the album is filled with pop dance songs, “I’m Scared I’ll Never Sleep Again” and “Ghost” are beautifully written ballads about self-destructive tendencies in relationships.
In between these two tracks is “istillfeelthesame,” following the theme of anxious love. The main theme throughout these three tracks, which explore love and relationships, blends well with the challenges of fame by focusing on how fame impacts relationships.
“Sick of Myself” reminds the listener of old 5SOS songs with the pop-rock sound that makes people want to dance, leading listeners into the final three songs of the album, which lean more into the synth sound.
“Evolve” has a chorus and a message that gets stuck in one’s head. “Evolve” explores how male artists in Hollywood “do not grow up” and continue to act as if they are teenagers. “The Rocks” showcases the pop-punk sound the band always wanted to create while also commenting on the loneliness of fame.
“Jawbreaker” is the perfect way to wrap up the album. Most of the album has been reflective on the band’s younger life, but “Jawbreaker” discusses the present and how it has found something in life to help it persevere through the challenges.
The album is arguably the band’s most cohesive piece of work, with a consistent theme that runs throughout. 5SOS is going on a world tour starting in March, and the setlist will feature both its classics and its newer hits. The band is continuing to grow and challenge itself to be better both in the member’s solo and band work.
Everyone’s A Star! - 7/10
NOT OK - 8/10
Telephone Busy - 7/10
Boyband - 10/10
No. 1 Obsession - 8/10
I’m Scared I’ll Never Sleep Again - 8/10
Istillfeelthesame - 6/10
Ghost - 9/10
Sick of Myself - 6/10
Evolve - 8/10
The Rocks - 9/10
Jawbreaker - 7/10
Overall Album Rating: ⅘
