For some, Aussie band 5 Seconds of Summer might be nostalgic name from the mid-2010s, when they first appeared on the scene and notably toured with One Direction, quickly becoming teen idols in their own right. But for many fans, myself included, 5 Seconds of Summer have always been more than just a moment. Over the years, they’ve proven themselves as one of Australia’s biggest musical exports, constantly reinventing their sound and pushing their sonic boundaries. 2022 saw them release their fifth studio album, 5SOS5, which marked a turning point in their maturity and artistry. Since then, each member has branded out into solo projects, but together they’ve kept the band’s momentum alive.
This week, mysterious Instagram posts from an account called @thediaryofsix started popping up, with captions like “5SOS are breaking up?!” And “5 Seconds of Summer is not ok!”. This sparked a flurry of speculation online, as intended, and today the rumours were put to rest with the official announcement of their sixth studio album, Everyone’s A Star, dropping on November 14th, as well as a fresh new single which dropped today, “NOT OK”.
This track, as well as the band’s current aesthetic for this release cycle, is one of their boldest departures yet. The track takes on an experimental sound that is reminiscent of Gorillaz with a sprinkle of that signature 5SOS sound. Each member is given their time to shine on vocals, making it a true group effort. To mark the announcement, 5SOS played a small, exclusive set in West Hollywood, debuting four new tracks- all just as weird and wonderful as “NOT OK”.
And the news doesn’t stop there, with a banner on the official 5SOS Australian store advertising pre-sale access with album preorders for an Australian Tour. Whilst dates haven’t been released yet, its as good a confirmation as any that they’ll be bringing the record on the road shortly.
It is perhaps the most exciting time to be a 5SOS fan, and the best time to become one if you’re not already, with this new era already feeling like another landmark chapter in their evolution.
To keep up to date with tour date announcements and single releases, click HERE.
Header image credit: Andy Deluca
