Recommended tracks: “fashion,” “thirsty,” “enough”
Artists you might like: YUNGBLUD, Po-uta, Mayday Parade
Michael Clifford, best known as the lead guitarist of 5 Seconds of Summer, has made his solo debut with SIDEQUEST, a project that’s equal parts nostalgic and forward-facing via Hopeless Records. The album, with an impressive array of features, draws from Clifford’s pop-punk roots while leaning into introspective songwriting and modern production. What emerges is a cohesive body of work that feels confident, vulnerable, and self-aware, without losing the edge that fans have come to expect.
The opener, “kill me for always” featuring Porter Robinson, sets the tone with a calm acoustic introduction that quickly builds into a layered, early-2000s-inspired pop-punk anthem. The switch between restrained verses and soaring guitar-backed choruses creates a satisfying balance, driven by the repeating line: “So you can kill me for always.” Lyrically sharp and emotionally playful, the song nods at Clifford’s early career: “Confidence doesn’t come so easily / When you’re the guy who caught fire with the colored hair / From the band with the song about underwear.” It’s a self-referencing wink that both longtime and new listeners can appreciate.
“give me a break!” featuring Waterparks follows with a fast-paced, candid take on fame and perception. Lines like “You make a comment such a big deal / Can’t speak my mind without a third wheel” speak to the pressures of being in the public eye, delivered with a sense of controlled chaos that feels authentic.
On “remember when,” Clifford reflects on youth and memory in vivid detail. The track blends emotional depth with a hazy sense of nostalgia, grounded by lines like “And when the world ends your face is one thing that I’m not forgetting.” It’s a standout moment on the record, capturing the tension between innocence and the weight of growing up.
“enough” shifts the tone with a sharp look at a fractured friendship, elevated by Clifford’s signature rasp and emotionally raw delivery. His vocals shine as he pleads, “Am I ever gonna be enough?” It’s a question that lingers long after the track ends.
Other highlights include “fashion,” which immediately evokes comparisons to classics like Mayday Parade and Bring Me the Horizon. The opening line, “Wear me on your arm like fashion, just to get a reaction,” is delivered in a sharp, melodic sneer that’s destined to resonate. Meanwhile, “thirsty” explores validation and self-worth with the understated but cutting lyric, “An honorable mention is never enough.”
On “nosebleed,” Clifford confronts internal battles with a clear-eyed honesty. “Nobody knows how I don’t sleep / ‘Cause my thoughts never slow down” reads like a late-night confession, offering insight into the mental toll of keeping up appearances. “if i had a choice,” featuring Ryan Hall, leans into ballad territory with poetic, existential imagery: “My reflection hasn’t met me / My shadow’s scared to death.” It’s a slower, contemplative track that gives space for the songwriting to shine.
Closing the album is “eclipse,” a cinematic love song that trades angst for emotional resolution. “Tidal waves of emotions rush in / Twenty-eight, finally feeling something,” Clifford sings, bringing the record to a thoughtful, romantic finish. “Eclipse” feels like a graceful conclusion to the world Clifford has finally allowed viewers into.
Across its tracklist, SIDEQUEST blends pop-punk energy with honest and personal storytelling, offering a clear sense of who Clifford is both as an artist and a person. It’s a project built on honesty, memory, and melody—and for a debut solo album, it successfully lands exactly where it should. Clifford’s artistry may be reminiscent of his history with the band, but he makes it clear that he stands on his own just fine.
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