5 Seconds of Summer, Boyband | Song Review

On their entertaining single, “Boyband,” 5 Seconds of Summer embrace being their characterization: a boy band!

5 Seconds of Summer, comprised of Luke Hemmings, Calum Hood, Ashton Irwin, and Michael Clifford, have been frequently characterized as a boy band.  Maybe it was those American Apparel underwear years ago… Anyways, on “Boyband”, Luke, Calum, Ashton, and Michael embrace being a boy band! “Boyband” is the fourth track and second advanced single from their 2025 album, EVERYONE’S A STAR. Irwin, Hood, Hemmings, Jason Evigan, John Ryan, and Simon Wilcox penned “Boyband.” Evigan and Ryan produced it.

 

“Boyband” also sounds like a boy band song. Synths and electropop cues are firmly planted from the get-go.  The pummeling, rhythmic drums are a welcome touch.  Notably, processed lead vocals match the electro-centric, boy band-driven cues. Luke Hemmings performs the first verse, initial pre-chorus. “When I’m dead and gone, bury me in stardust,” he sings in the first verse, and adds, “King of the river city, look at what it gave us, oh.” Calum performs the chorus, bridge, and second verse. “Love me when I’m skinny and we never, ever age / Same four chords, but it never feels the same,” he sings in the second verse, adding in the bridge, “Boy in a boyband / Make that monkey dance.” Woo! Throughout, the rhythmic, melodic lines are a selling point.  Notably, there is plenty of gimmickry, instrumentally and vocally.  While there are some rock elements (those drums), this song sounds starkly different compared to some of their music released in the past. The chorus, excerpted earlier,  is relatively tuneful. Adding some spice are the f-bombs by Ashton that appear at the end, describing the song: “That was fucking amazing,” and, “I had to admit, it was really fucking awesome, come check it.” Maybe 5SOS aren’t too boy band after all. Back in the days, fuck would never fly! All in all, “Boyband” is worth checking out.

---

5 Seconds of Summer » EVERYONE’S A STAR » 5SOS, LLC / Republic » 11.14.25 [📷: 5SOS, LLC / Republic]

---