Review Summary: 5 Seconds of Summer gives Pop Rock a larger appeal.
Pop music needs no introduction. Infamous artists like Nicki Minaj and the like have been adored by millions and hated as well. Anything popular will get most of the same result. 5 Seconds of Summer is no exception, from the outside, they look horrifyingly similar to the pop 5-piece (l)One Direction(/l) with the 'clean cut' image with over exaggerated poses on album covers (Am I the only one who notices that?). One Direction is loved by everything with ovaries from the ages of 9-16 and make bland music, and like every other pop star, they sing "I love you" to an imaginary girl and it catches on for some reason.
That being said, is this band similar to One Direction? Absolutely, but they hold a different musical identity and are no where near as bland as One Direction, thank God. One Direction claims themselves to be a rock group when that couldn't be further from the truth. The reality of One Direction is that they try so hard to be rock, but ultimately it falls far short. 5 Seconds of Summer takes the rock thing more seriously, and benefits greatly by it.
"She looks so perfect" being the first track showcases this, as well shows they are musically competent with the guitar, but I hate the lyrics so much. The verses are fine, but the chorus is just awful
You look so perfect standing there
In my American Apparel underwear
And I know now, that I'm so down
Your lipstick stain is a work of art
I got your name tattooed in an arrow heart
And I know now, that I'm so down
Really? Thankfully, the chorus the only cringe-worthy moment I saw in this song, the rest of the song is fairly decent. "Heartbreak on the big screen is drastically better than the last song, less electronic influence, and a lot stronger of a rock presence. While the lyrics are improved, one thing this band
never seems to not use the generic song structure. It fails to keep the song interesting.
The final track "The Only Reason" has the best lyrics on the whole ep, and provides a brighter contrast between the pop and rock elements. It closes the EP, and overall it's a good closer (especially considering it's their first EP)
5 Seconds of summer is not amazing by any means, but they have really shown that boybands are not just to point and laugh at. They are fairly good with their respective instruments and can churn out some music that while not much more than a guilty pleasure, is still good. are they the 'revival' of rock music? no. not at all, for me rock is alive in well, especially with bands like
Saosin. However, 5 Seconds of Summer could potentially be the first boyband in a while to not just be money making puppets - as they have clear and definable talent. While this EP has things that bring it down, it's enjoyable enough and a good start for 5SOS.
