Recommended tracks: “NOT OK,” “Ghost,” “Evolve”
Artists you might like: Shawn Mendes, The Vamps, Panic! At The Disco
5 Seconds of Summer finally owns the boyband title on EVERYONE’S A STAR!, turning what used to be a label they resisted into a badge of honor. I consider myself fortunate to have grown up during the golden era when boybands ruled the hearts of teens and tweens worldwide. More than a decade ago, 5SOS may have scoffed at the “boyband” label, but today, I couldn’t be more grateful for their return. 5 Seconds of Summer’s pop-punk comeback and a newfound willingness to dabble in hyper-pop and funk couldn’t be more timely or welcome.
When you spend your teen and early adulthood years in the spotlight, it’s easy to get lost in the industry and lose the passion that originally inspired you. But for 5SOS, that spark is brighter than ever—in fact, they’ve set it ablaze. Their solo careers and experiences with parenthood, especially for Luke and Michael, have brought a sense of renewed creativity, bringing the spunk from their debut back to their music.
The title track, which is the first song on the album, immediately lets you know you are in for a real treat. It’s the perfect introduction to everything the album is about: identity, fame, and self-worth. “Everyone’s A Star!” vividly describes the challenges of staying true to oneself in a world that glorifies fame. It is a powerful opening that grabs your attention right off the bat.
5SOS really lets their dark side take center stage on “NOT OK,” diving into the messy feelings we all try to hide: “I wanna dip my toe into the fire / Where did the good boy go? Killed by desire / On the edge / You make me wanna jump, jump, jump, jump, jump.” “Boyband” follows and takes a sharp look at parasocial relationships, critiquing what it means to be young and famous in a world obsessed with image and connection from a distance. 5SOS reveals the complicated reality of living for an audience that only sees a version of you.
Vulnerability hits you like a brick on “I’m Scared I’ll Never Sleep Again” and “Ghost.” In another life, Matty Healy of The 1975 is featured on “I’m Scared I’ll Never Sleep Again.” The track explores the emotional withdrawal that hits when you are suddenly separated from someone you love and depend on. It’s romantic, but also quietly self-destructive, unraveling in that space between longing and panic. And though it may seem a little out of place on an album as edgy as EVERYONE’S A STAR!, every record needs a ballad, and “Ghost” fills that void beautifully.
5SOS spices things up in the final three tracks, “Evolve,” “The Rocks,” and “Jawbreaker.” “The Rocks” is laced with synths and has a beat that pulls you in. “Evolve” gets stuck in your head with a killer chorus, and “Jawbreaker” wraps things up with a burst of playful energy. The album keeps you guessing, keeps you hooked, and honestly, it’s just a blast from start to finish.
This is a record that’s meant to be played live, so get your tickets to their world tour now!
EVERYONE’S A STAR! WORLD TOUR DATES:
3/26 – Belfast, UK – SSE Arena
3/27 – Dublin, IE – 3 Arena
3/30 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
3/31 – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
4/2 – London, UK – O2 Arena
4/4 – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
4/5 – Cardiff, UK – International Arena
4/7 – Antwerp, BE – Afas Dome
4/8 – Paris, FR – Accor Arena
4/10 – Amsterdam, NL – Ziggo Dome
4/13 – Cologne, DE – Lanxess Arena
4/14 – Hamburg, DE – Barclays Arena
4/16 – Oslo, NO – Unity Arena
4/18 – Stockholm, SE – Hovet
4/19 – Copenhagen, DK – Royal Arena
4/21 – Berlin, DE – Uber Arena
4/22 – Lodz, PL – Atlas Arena
4/24 – Budapest, HU – MVM Dome
4/25 – Graz, AT – Stadhalle
4/27 – Munich, DE – Olympiahalle
4/28 – Milan, IT – Forum
4/30 – Madrid, ES – Palacio Vistalegre
5/1 – Valencia, ES – Roig Arena
5/3 – Lisbon, PT – Meo Arena
5/29 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
5/31 – Hershey, PA – Giant Center
6/2 – Hamilton, ON – TD Coliseum
6/3 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
6/5 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
6/7 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
6/9 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Arena
6/11 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena
6/13 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
6/16 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
6/17 – Orlando, FL – Kia Center
6/19 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
6/21 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
6/23 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
6/26 – Glendale, AZ – Desert Diamond Arena
6/27 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center
6/30 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
7/2 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
7/4 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
7/7 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center
7/9 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena
7/11 – Los Angeles, CA – The Kia Forum
7/22 – Shakopee, MN – Mystic Lake Amphitheater
7/24 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
7/25 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
7/27 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
7/29 – Grand Rapids, MI – Acrisure Amphitheater
8/5 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
8/6 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
8/8 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
8/9 – Richmond, VA – Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront
8/12 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live
8/14 – Raleigh, NC – Costal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
8/15 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
8/18 – Rogers, AR – The Walmart AMP
8/20 – Kansas City, MO – [TBA]
8/22 – Denver, CO – Junkyard
8/26 – Salt Lake City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
8/28 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
10/24 – Auckland, NZ – Spark Arena
10/28 – Brisbane, AU – Riverstage
10/30 – Sydney, AU – Qudos Bank Arena
11/2 – Melbourne, AU – Rod Laver Arena
11/6 – Perth, AU – Kings Park
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