Rating: ★★★​​

Artist: 5 Seconds of Summer

Genre: pop-punk, alternative rock

In 2011, four teenage boys from Sydney, Australia, formed what the world first recognized as a teen pop-rock band. 14 years later, 5 Seconds of Summer has released its sixth studio album, “EVERYONE’S A STAR!” which critics have praised as a bold, rock-forward evolution — a far cry from the label they were first given. This album is a declaration of growth, experimentation, and reflection from a band that has taken these last few years to mature both sonically and lyrically. As someone who grew up on the band’s high-energy hooks, I love seeing 5SOS push itself, but some of the slower tracks don’t give me the same spark that its original sound always has. 

“EVERYONE’S A STAR!” strays from the punchy, adrenaline-filled choruses that originally drew me and other fans to the band’s music. In this project, 5SOS leans into a bolder, more rock-oriented sound that reflects the band’s desire to reinvent itself — building on the style that made longtime fans fall in love with its music. The band still delivers its signature hard-hitting choruses throughout the record, but it also makes room for quieter, more grounded tracks. Even with the album’s rock-centered sound, the softer moments feel like a natural evolution of its emotional, pop-rock roots. 

“No. 1 Obsession” has been my favorite track since my first full listen of this album. Its punchy, rhythmic drum beat and repeated “oohs” call to mind the band’s breakout track and my all-time favorite 5SOS song, “She Looks So Perfect.” Luke Hemmings, the band’s lead vocalist, called “No. 1 Obsession” the album’s “north star,” setting the tone for the rest of the songs. This track showcases the ambition of “EVERYONE’S A STAR!” as a whole, blending the nostalgia of 5SOS’ original sound with its artistic growth into a fresh pop-rock production.

Drummer Ashton Irwin explained that “No. 1 Obsession” emulates the dopamine and serotonin rushes that society gets from social media. For 5SOS, this isn’t just a general observation — it’s something its band members are experiencing firsthand. Lines like, “Make me your number one obsession,” reflect on the more toxic aspects of this phenomenon, exploring how fans can become fixated on the band and the pressure of this constant attention. By putting this experience into a song, 5SOS almost turns the idea of fame into a mirror for both itself and its listeners.  

With its immediate burst of energy, track 11, “The Rocks,” also stood out to me. Created on an eight-track tape machine — an old-school recording method that limits the number of individual tracks a band can layer — the song has a raw, almost live quality that makes the layered vocal sections feel simultaneously intimate and all-powerful. The opening “whoa” immediately pulls you in, and the lyrics, “Keep wakin’ up at 3 a.m. / I face regrets, I plan revenge,” capture the intense emotional isolation of late night overthinking and the vulnerability of facing personal guilt and frustration alone.

Continuing its exploration of a more evolved sound,“Boyband” balances classic catchy 5SOS hooks with a more modern, experimental production style. This track, along with “The Rocks,” shows how the album shifts between high-energy bangers and more introspective moments, giving the listener a sense of the band’s growth. The variance in sound highlights the band’s ability to take risks, push its style forward, and still keep longtime fans engaged, all while exploring new emotional and sonic territory. 

Tracks like “Ghost” surprised me with their slow-paced introspection. With a simple, steady drumbeat and soft guitar backing him, Hemmings pours angsty vulnerability into lines like, “I don’t want to go to sleep / Cause I’m afraid of what I’ll see / And I can’t look you in the eyes / ’Cause I’m afraid it looks like me.” This, alongside companion tracks “I’m Scared I’ll Never Sleep Again” and “istillfeelthesame,” emulate a similar emotional honesty. 

5SOS’ willingness to experiment with storytelling and explore darker emotional themes is a refreshing shift that shows that the band members are not afraid to take risks and dig deeper into their own experiences. Bassist Calum Hood called “Ghost” a piece of Hemmings’ soul, and although I personally prefer 5SOS’ more upbeat, high-energy songs, I commend the band’s attempts to expand its sonic and lyrical range.

“EVERYONE’S A STAR!” is a thoughtful reflection of what 5SOS is today: a band unafraid to take creative risks while ensuring that it honors the energy and catchiness that first brought the group to fame. High-octane, drum-driven tracks contrasted with intimate, reflective moments give listeners a full picture of the band’s growth and ambition. As a longtime fan who grew up watching 5SOS rise to fame, this album offers an exciting sense of nostalgia while giving new listeners a compelling introduction to a band eager to continue evolving its pop-rock sound.