5 Seconds of Summer delivers refreshing album

5 Seconds of Summer released their fourth album, “CALM,” a little over a week ago on March 27 yet it has already topped charts in the United Kingdom and is on the Billboard Top 200 in the United States. The album, bearing the first letters of each band members name, is said to be a nod to their fans that referred to them as CALM in their early days as a band.

The album starts off with an extraordinary harmonic of all of the band members in unison in “Red Desert.” The song is said to be an ode to their homeland of Australia, and how it heals them. “Red, red desert heal our blues. I dive deeper for you. What a blessing to feel your love. Twilight moments with you.”

“Easier” was released nearly a year ago and has made it to the US Billboard Top 40 and talks about a toxic relationship. Similarly, No Shame talks about falling in love, how sometimes it is painful and other times it can be joyful. “Not in the Same Way,” “Thin White Lies and Teeth” also talk about an estranged relationship that seems like it is love-hate. In Teeth, 5SOS describes an internal battle about the good and bad parts of a loved one and the relationship with them. “Fight so dirty but your love’s so sweet. Talk so pretty but your heart got teeth. Late night devil put your hands on me and never, never, never ever let go.”

Opposite of other songs featured on the album, “Wildflower” talks about a lover and all the things that makes them love the individual. “Lover of Mine” explains the mistakes that were made in a relationship and the love that is still held. The track “Best Years” is also a love song that explains sweet and wholesome promises. “But I’ll build a house out of the mess and all of the broken pieces. I’ll make up for all your tears. I’ll Give you the best years.”

The third track off the album is entitled “Old Me.” As expected they reminisce on their past selves, the mistakes they made and yet how they managed to get up every time. The song expresses that they pushed through even though It felt like the world was against them. “Shout out to the old me and everything you showed me. Glad you didn’t listen when the world was trying to slow me. No one could control me, left my lover lonely, had to f*** it up before I really got to know me.”

“Lonely Heart” is the second to last song on the album and is an expression of someone they love who is leaving. It talks about wishing to have just another moment and chance with someone so far away. The album ends with its twelfth song, entitled “High.” This final song is all about how one thinks of their ex after a relationship and how they hope their ex thinks of them when with someone else. Very fittingly, it closes the album with a pained farewell. “I hope you think of me high. I hope you think of me highly when you’re with someone else.”

Overall, 5SOS rose to fame when they were teenagers and now they have released their fourth album. “CALM” is a refreshing spin on today's music and even pushes the typical sounds of the group while still maintaining their style. “CALM” allows for a new breath of air to the bands music while looking back to their past selves and music, the album really shows how the band has progressed in the years they’ve been making music. Their next album will hopefully push and pursue their new maturity even further.

Rating: 4.5/5