5SOS Shoots for the Stars in Latest Album
Written by Amanda La
After three years in the making, 5 Seconds of Summer have finally released their highly anticipated sixth studio album, EVERYONE’S A STAR!, their most striking one to date. Not only in terms of visual aesthetics, but they’ve taken a sharp left turn sonically into a new direction as well. Turning the synths up to 100, you can hear the signature sounds of Fontaines D.C., Tame Impala, The 1975, Gorillaz, and more throughout the album as the band experiments to find their own sound in this space. And if you’re listening to the album from start to finish in chronological order, it’ll take you through twists and turns, ups and downs of the sentiments they’re trying to convey, throwing you into fast-paced chaos and then pulling you back for a slower reflective moment of sorts before jumping headfirst right back into the high swing of things. The lyrics take an at-times satirical, at-times contemplative look back at their career, confronting the highs and lows of fame with both honesty and wit.
All this to say — this album isn’t something you’d readily associate with the band, and that’s neither good nor bad. Its disjointedness could easily be interpreted as another sign of their growth: a literal showcase of the members trying to converge their individual alt- and indie-inspired sounds with the band’s own pop-rock identity. Even if the album doesn’t quite land as perfectly as they hope it will with audiences, you can’t deny the passion and energy that it exudes. It’s evidence that they still love making music together after all these years.
But don’t overlook the real gems hidden away in the deluxe version of the album, EVERYONE’S A STAR! (Fully Evolved). One could argue that the album finally finds its footing in its last four songs. The tracks are like a capsule of sorts — immediately recognizable as theirs, leaning into the core 5SOS-sound that fans know and love. Its nostalgic warmth is a comfort to longtime listeners and a reminder that even though they’re trying something new, they haven’t forgotten their roots either.
Standout songs: Telephone Busy, No. 1 Obsession, Sick of Myself, Start Over
