5 Seconds of Summer Go From ‘Boyband’ to Rock ‘Stars’ on ‘EVERYONE’S A STAR’

Complete with punk eyeliner and neon hair, 5 Seconds of Summer ricocheted themselves to stardom in the early 2010s under the mentorship of the 21st century’s most influential boyband — One Direction. 

From Australian teenagers posting their music on YouTube to international sensations, the band has spent over a decade breaking their original mold through continual reinvention.

The group — made up of vocalist Luke Hemmings, guitarist Michael Clifford, bassist Calum Hood and drummer Ashton Irwin — released their sixth studio album, “EVERYONE’S A STAR!” Nov. 14. 

“EVERYONE’S A STAR!” abandons the alternative indie mood explored in the group’s 2022 record “5SOS5.” Instead, the new album embraces pop-punk with electric beats and 80s-inspired synthesizers. 

The record kicks off with title track “Everyone’s A Star!” — punchy bass and resonant vocals setting the album up with an energetic tone that twists and turns through the gritty lyricism and instrumentation. 

“NOT OK” instantly transports listeners into an electric dance club with its reverberating percussion and repetitive lyricism. The track’s pattern of monotonous vocalization mimics the feeling of jumping up and down in a formulaic fashion while rocking out to pulsating music. 

5 Seconds of Summer plays mischievously into their musical role as a group on “Boyband,” humorously mocking critics and obsessive parasocial fans. The track also ironically references their roots in the pop-punk genre — roots they’re watering on this very record. 

“Raised on pop-punk and bubblegum / Stay young, love me ‘til I get it wrong / Make me the flavour of the week / Now I only feel alive when you’re looking at me (I’m your favorite) / Boy in a boy band, imaginary boyband / Irritates the metalheads, it’s your favorite (boy band),” Hemmings sings. 

Beneath the booming drums and syncopated rhythm, an evident self-confidence oozes from the chords in the first half of the record — not one erected by arrogance but rather a matured and composed sense of self not irreparable when faced by life’s obstacles.

“I pulled that tarot card / That one with the mystic heart / A map of treasures / Good things come to those who wait, okay / Okay, okay, okay / It’s just not my day / Okay, okay, okay / What you wanna say? / You’re just, you’re just uncomfortable bein’ with somebody who’s good for you, ” Hemmings sings on “Telephone Busy.”

As the album shifts into the latter half of its tracks, the self-confidence fades into a sensual desire for lust and love. 

While the tone doesn’t undergo any significant changes, keeping pace with speedy tempos and electric melodies, the lyricism reflects lonely emotions and illustrates a yearning for sultry relationships. 

On “istillfeelthesame,” a rapid tempo and metallic percussion evoke the desperation of saving a broken relationship. Distressed vocals mirror the seemingly doomed attempt to piece together a love that’s already been shattered in hopes of escaping the consuming sense of loneliness that awaits in a post-breakup world.

The band slows it down on “Ghost,” where a mellow piano melody and haunting vocalization meld together. One of three songs on the album co-written by Hemmings’ wife, Sierra Deaton, the ballad recounts a personal story of Hemmings’ experience with self-destruction. 

“Ghost” explores themes of insomnia present throughout the record and dives into the irreversible damage self-destructive habits can have on a relationship when both lovers are “haunted by a similar ghost.” 

Hood told Rolling Stone this track was Hemmings “pouring his heart out,” and the band was aware they had to be “cognizant of when band members are showing their heart on their sleeve.”

With percussion emulating hands clapping on a wooden drum and hallucinatory vocal synthesization, “Jawbreaker” bestows an upbeat ending on 5 Seconds of Summer’s new era. 

“EVERYONE’S A STAR!” sees the band working to once again break free from the musical bonds tied to their reputation as they try to write their own story. 

The exploration of electric beats and resonant percussion helps fuel 5 Seconds of Summer’s return to pop-punk, but it’s their insightful, relatable lyricism and impressive ability to shift between distinct musical genres that marks their spot as true stars. 

“EVERYONE’S A STAR!” is available to stream everywhere.