In between cryptic, hidden messages and catchy phrases announcing the return of a certain “boyband,” the Australian group 5 Seconds of Summer teased a musical comeback after their successful record 5SOS5 back in 2023. Two months later, with a new, unique sound—explosive and fiery—EVERYONE’S A STAR! has left fans genuinely perplexed.
SOURCE: ANDY DELUCA
Consisting of twelve diverse songs, each different in innumerable ways but still maintaining the essence that characterizes the band, EVERYONE’S A STAR! is an album made for people who feel the need to step out of their comfort zone and venture into the unknown.
It’s punchy, it’s fresh, it’s new—and its satirical take on fame is the main star of the show. It feels like listening to a biographical record told from the perspective of the media and the cartoonish portrayals they were painted with ten years ago. Touching on themes like wild nightlife, substance abuse, and the disregard for what’s believed to be “decent,” 5SOS found a fun way to turn past scandals into your No. 1 obsession.
Embracing the label “boyband,” a term that often strips artists of their legitimacy as musicians, they not only offer extensive social commentary but also introduce genre-hopping into the mix. It’s risky, and that’s what makes it so compelling—especially for a band that has been around as long as 5 Seconds of Summer and has a fanbase that often expects something similar to their previous work. They branch out into pop-punk, hip-hop, and even dance. Influences from other bands such as Gorillaz and The 1975 are almost palpable in their work, as well as a late-2000s aesthetic that matches the energy of the melodies.
This album is an effervescent approach to the absurdity of pop culture and the music industry as a whole. It drifts away from the industrial, mainstream tracks typically expected from artists. It favors textures like grungy guitars and overly auto-tuned vocals, yet it is emotional at its core. Hemmings is known for frequently collaborating with his wife, Sierra Deaton—especially when a song’s purpose is nostalgia—and it always ends up striking the same emotional nerve that fans love.
Each member has also ventured into creating their own personal records over the past couple of years, and the influence of that creative freedom can be heard in this new album. With a touch of Ashton’s classic rock, Luke’s pop-gaze, Calum’s alternative pop, and Michael’s pop-punk, the album comes full circle. It is sweet but tangy, emotional at times, upbeat when needed, humorous but also intense. It is 5 Seconds of Summer through and through—a solemn statement that makes anyone want to dance.