5 Seconds Of Summer

Self-proclaimed, very pop and little punk Australian boyband of global success, 5 Seconds of Summer have racked up hits, streams, and sold-outs, serving as a rockier alternative to One Direction without losing any of that fundamental simplicity and immediacy for young audiences of all eras. Formed in 2011, after a period of paying their dues on YouTube, they broke through with the sugary 2014 pop-punk single “She Looks So Perfect,” the lead track of a self-titled album that met with surprising commercial success and helped build a close-knit, passionate community. Having become one of the most successful Australian acts of all time—and fundamental to the adolescence of many—they veered toward a smoother, more danceable electronic pop with “Youngblood” (2018), a third album with new wave nuances driven by the title track, sounding like a less gritty version of Imagine Dragons. Too often, however, whether due to Luke Hemmings' vocal register or the mix of polished pop, harmless electronics, and recurring sentimental themes, 5 Seconds of Summer resemble Maroon 5. This sixth album, “Everyone’s A Star,” seems to rediscover rock energy without losing pop efficacy. But there’s more: post-punk, rave memories, and electro-rock on steroids.

The techno-rock, with the reverberated vocals and synth bass of the opening "Everyone's A Star!", immediately makes the transformation clear: it is a darker and murkier sound, still immediate but certainly more adult than many tracks on previous albums. They push even further in "Not OK"; over drum’n’bass percussion and hints of even The Prodigy, 5 Seconds of Summer build a contagious chorus. But the Australians also know how to offer melancholy synthpop in "istillfeelthesame" and muscular vibes in "Boyband," flirt with bombastic 80s rock in "No. 1 Obsession," and make their most poignant songs more interesting by soaking them in reverbs and echoes as in "Ghost," a seesaw between intimacy and grandeur. They wink at the garage rock of twenty years ago in the guitar-driven "Sick Of Myself," then launch into the explosive nu-disco of "Evolve" and dust off the emo-pop with “The Rocks”: they have never been this eclectic, and they succeed while sounding more fun than ever.

“Everyone’s A Star” is more than a turning point; it’s a rebirth and a new beginning. The Australian band does not give up its knack for crafting easy-to-memorize, sing-along songs, but it reduces the sugar dosage and greatly expands its stylistic range. It certainly quotes and draws from others, but with a new maturity and a pinch of lightness and irony. Another point in its favor: it doesn't drag on, totaling less than 37 minutes. It closes with "Jawbreaker," a synth fantasy that completes itself in just over two minutes. For this reason, it’s hard to recommend the extended version, dubbed “fully evolved”: although “Chest” is an explosive electronic rock track, sometimes it’s better to stick to the essentials.

03/01/2026