HEARTBREAK, SEX, AND PUNCHING BASSLINES: 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER 'YOUNGBLOOD' ALBUM REVIEW

The back and front cover of the Deluxe LP

Ever since the release of 'Want You Back' in February, it's clear that 5 Seconds of Summer's new music from their third album was going to be miles from their pop-punk inspired previous albums. As someone who has followed the band since before they even had a full album released, this unnerved me slightly. For them to take a complete 180 from their previous music style made me nervous, but also made me excited for future releases. It was clear their music was about to be more mature and more suited to them as writers and performers and I hoped 'Want You Back' wasn't a one-off; I was excited for their third studio album to surprise me, and it certainly has.

The band (consisting of Luke Hemmings on lead vocals and guitar, Michael Clifford on guitar and vocals, Calum Hood on bass and vocals and Ashton Irwin on drums and vocals) have been consistently saying that this album is the best they've ever made, and they've matured substantially. It's been a long three year break for the band, and it seems like life has changed them since the last album, and this is certainly represented throughout 'Youngblood'.

The title track 'Youngblood' was also a released a few weeks prior to the album and came with it a good amount of success having already reached 100,000,000 streams on Spotify (bearing in mind their most popular track 'Amnesia' has around 170,000,000.) This success is easily understandable when you listen to the song, with it's thumping bassline and catchy lyrics and interludes. It really sets a tone for the album, in my opinion, more so than 'Want You Back'.

The album was released a couple days ago (June 22nd 2018), and it's certain to say they absolutely did not let me down. This album has been three years in the making, and you can absolutely tell that so much thought has gone into this album. It's miles away from the pop-punk sound of previous albums, and I have to say that this sound absolutely suits them better.
It's difficult to narrow down the inspiration for the album. I always find it's easier to understand the concept of an album when you're aware of the inspirations. Previously it's clearly been classic rock/pop punk but here there are inspirations coming from here there and everywhere. Some songs sound 2013 Arctic Monkeys inspired, other's take things from 80s pop or 90s rock. It's definitely a varied bunch. However, as varied as the inspiration is, this doesn't stop the album from being surprisingly coherent. They've somehow managed to combine all these sounds and make something that flows. The only mishmash seen on the album is within the song 'Monster Among Men', with the sound of the verse completely contrasting the sound of the chorus, but they somehow just about make it work.

An interesting change from the previous albums is the putting out of Luke Hemmings as a clear front man. Previous albums would have relatively equal amounts of each member on vocals, but this album is primarily Hemmings taking the lead role. This change has worked very much in favour of the new sound, as Hemming's personal voice fits well with the tracks on the album, and allows people to focus on the musical and instrumental talents of the other three which absolutely shine through.  Irwin, Clifford, and Hood still do have solo vocals on the album, and it almost allows people to appreciate it more when they do. It is clear the band have thought long and hard about which vocals to put where rather than just aiming to have an equal amount of solos for all. On an album where the guitar, bass, and drums are so prominent in their own right, it was important for there to be a lead vocalist in the form of Hemmings, but this absolutely does not diminish the talents of the other three. I think a lot of people would be surprised at how genuinely musically talented each member of the band are. Gone are the days of pop-punk chaos with 5SOS, we are entering an era of well thought out and planned artistic creations, and it's working so wonderfully in their favour.

I had just planned on discussing the general sound and maturation of 5SOS in 'Youngblood', and I wasn't planning on talking about any specific tracks in great detail but I couldn't not comment on the following.
A stand out track from the album is 'Ghost of You.' This was the song that the members of the band themselves were looking most forward to people hearing and I see why. It's mature, it's got incredible instrumentals and the concept of the lyrics is great. If Nicholas Sparks is looking for a new song to have as the lead om his soundtrack in one of his sad romantic films, then Ghost of You is it. Perfectly encapsulating the feeling of loving someone who's no longer in your life. The lyric writing across the entire album is outstanding, but this song in particular really grabbed my attention; the lyrics really are absolutely beautiful and to turn your pain into something that beautiful is one hell of a skill that the writers have clearly mastered. An impressive feat for young men in their early 20s.

What I personally really appreciated about the album was that it was so clear that the band had really used their pain and loneliness from the past couple years, and turned it into something beautiful that other people experiencing this can listen to and relate to. The basis of all good music is creating music to help yourself but also help others, which is something the band has been very good at even since their last album 'Sounds Good Feels Good', but really comes to light on Youngblood. 'Youngblood' is honest and raw and this idea of being true to your own feelings and expressing your own situation via music has really blossomed and become something truly remarkable across the album. Especially at the age they are, we all know it's difficult for young men to express their emotions, but 5SOS clearly have no shame in doing so and they are living proof that you can use pain and turn into something worthwhile.

A really exciting thing about this album is that it is clearly designed to be performed live. There has been clear thought put into what will sound great booming out of the speakers to an audience. Song's such as 'More' and 'Meet You There' with their thumping bass, clever drums, and intense guitar will make a concert venue come alive, and songs such as 'Lie to Me' and 'Ghost of You' will no doubt sound outstanding when seeing that raw emotion live in person with crowds singing along. Perhaps this was why they chose to do a small promo tour before the release of the album. I'm certainly excited to see what the album sounds like live.

I really applaud 5 Seconds of Summer. They've come from being lost in the industry between pop and rock and unable to find their own sound, to producing something that will really show them as a serious band that is here to make waves in the industry. This album is not perfect, I won't pretend it is, but it is by far the best that 5SOS have made and I'm excited what the future holds for them now that it's clear they're not scared to go out of their comfort zone. The third album often makes or breaks an artist, and luckily for 5SOS, I believe this is going to make them.

LINKS TO BUY/STREAM THE ALBUM

SPOTIFY
APPLE MUSIC
5SOS STORE

Written by Ruby Crowhurst.