5 Seconds of Summer is a band made up of four young men with Australian accents, and if you haven’t heard of them yet, you will. Chances are you’ve heard their song “She Looks So Perfect” on the radio every five seconds this summer. Although it’s catchy, it has been overplayed. Luckily, though, their self-titled debut has diverse tracks and a lot of potential.
The first few songs after “She Looks So Perfect” do not make a great first impression. “Don’t Stop” should have been called “Please Stop,” and I don’t plan on listening to “Kiss Me Kiss Me” again because, like its title, it is extremely repetitive with overwhelming instrumentals and not-so-great lyrics. My least favorite song, “18,” has lyrics that make it obvious how young these guys really are, and although it might work for a middle school girl, it did not work for me.
Thankfully, the album takes a 180 with “Everything I Didn’t Say” and “Beside You,” which create a good vibe with more laid-back instrumentals accompanied by nice lyrics. “End Up Here” and “Long Way Home” mix catchy and relaxed sounds, but still lack impressive lyrics. In contrast, “Heartbreak Girl,” which made me “awwww,” has a relatable message about what it’s like to be in the friend zone — to which just about anyone can relate.
I recommend getting the bonus version of the album, because the extra songs are much better than tracks two through five on the regular album. It is clear that the band is still trying to find its voice and sound. This album reminds me of the evolution of One Direction from a boy band little girls gushed over to a musical group that can relate to all ages.
On that note, the best song on this entire album, showcasing 5 Seconds of Summer’s talent and potential, is without a doubt “Amnesia.” Not only is it applicable to anyone of any age that has ever been through a breakup, but it also has an acoustic vibe with a powerful vocal that far exceeds the quality of the songs that precede it.
Based off of this album, I cannot predict what 5SOS will produce in the future, but I can only hope that as they grow, their music does as well.
_MOVE gives “5 Seconds of Summer” 3.5 out of 5 stars._
