Album Review: "Everyone's A Star!" - 5 Seconds of Summer
- Jazz Williams
- 9 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Australian pop band, 5 Seconds of Summer, has released their sixth studio album. Their new album, Everyone's A Star!, is a reflection of the beginning of their careers as a boyband told through a satirical lense.
Everyone's A Star!
Not OK
Telephone Busy
Boyband
No. 1 Obsession
I'm Scared I'll Never Sleep Again
Istillfeelthesame
Ghost
Sick of Myself
Evolve
The Rocks
Jawbreaker
Start Over
Wishful Dreaming
Chest
I'll Find You
Cool Dad
5 Seconds of Summer, also referred to as 5sos, is a pop rock band hailing from Sydney, Australia, consisting of lead singer and rhythm guitarist Luke Hemmings, lead guitarist Michael Clifford, bassist Calum Hood, and drummer Ashton Irwin. They left their normal lives to tour with One Direction for two consecutive years and released their debut single, “She Looks So Perfect” in 2014. They are also known for their 2018 hit, “Youngblood”. Having built up a strong fanbase and six albums since their inception in 2011, each member has also managed to release at least one solo album in that time frame. This has helped them become better musicians and songwriters for the band itself which is evident in their new release. Let’s dive in.
Everyone’s A Star! is the their best album opener. Powerful vocal delivery. Immaculate vibes. The initial culture shock of Not OK has officially worn off. This is the most unique song they’ve ever made. The experimental fun continues with Telephone Busy, Boyband, and No.1 Obsession. Let’s take a moment to praise Ashton. Only he could pull off the nonchalant attitude matched with deep, sexy vocals needed to make Telephone Busy pure ecstasy. We’re at the halfway point, I’m Scared I’ll Never Sleep Again, istillfeelthesame, Ghost, and Sick of Myself, where the songs are mostly vibes. Most notably, Ghost is a haunting, yet beautiful ballad and Sick of Myself is an outlier that sounds like Christmas meets the Jonas Brothers with an everso slight twang. Back to the upbeat funkiness I love about this album, Evolve is about needing to mature from boys to men. The Rocks is a return to their origins with a punchy pop punk beat that has the perfect blend of guitar, bass, and drums. It ends on a light note with short, but sweet Jawbreaker.
The bonus songs (aka the Fully Evolved version) are personal to each member. Start Over is Luke’s deluxe song. Wishful Dreaming is Michael’s deluxe song. Chest is Ashton’s deluxe song. I’ll Find You is Calum’s deluxe song. Start Over is the perfect pop ballad and should've been the closer. Wishful Dreaming is reminiscent of the old days because they each have their own solos. The upbeat and experimental Chest featured my favorite members, Ashton and Calum, teaming up on the best deluxe song. I'll Find You is yet another heartfelt ballad sung excelusively by Calum this time. As I’m writing this, they dropped yet another bonus song, Cool Dad, that’s very 80s, silly, and actually pretty cool!
The entire album is what I would describe as pop rock with electro and funk influences rooted in 2000s nostalgia with a major emphasis on production. Its hands down their best produced album. I love the plethora of guitar solos, songs where Ashton and Calum dominate whether that’s vocally or instrumentally, and every upbeat moment. 5sos don’t curse or make sexually explicit music so songs like I’m Scared I’ll Never Sleep Again, Evolve, and a couple others genuinely shocked me. I’ve always wanted them to do this (and more) like every other artist I listen to. My only other wish for this band musically is to make a full blown rock album and I have a feeling they'll get there soon. Like I said earlier, it’s pop rock, but experimental. When I say experimental, I’m referring to usage of synths and sound effects, unique song structures, and exploration of uncharted territory with various subgenres within rock. You can hear some of their old pop punk selves in certain songs like Boyband and The Rocks as well.
What’s most impressive is the album sounds like their solo albums came together and had a baby. I can hear each of their influences and personalities individually, but I wish they had went full force with the boyband theme. What I mean is… I wish Boyband had a music video where they did a break dance. I wish each member got more equal singing parts like boybands do. Nonetheless, this is the most fun, eclectic music they’ve ever made. I’ve been a fan since Heartbreak Girl and I’ve enjoyed this era and album more than some of their recent releases. I need more time to determine if it’s my definitive favorite album of theirs. For now, I’ll give it an 8 out of 10. For months to come, I will obsessively listen to my top three: Telephone Busy, Everyone’s A Star, and Evolve.
Written By Jazz
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