5 Seconds of Summer, Old Me | Track Review 🎵

Aussie pop collective 5 Seconds of Summer returns with “Old Me,” the fourth advance single from their fourth studio album, CALM.

Question: Are you ready for CALM? CALM, of course, is the highly anticipated fourth studio album by Aussie pop collective, 5 Seconds of Summer.  5SOS certainly changed their sound on their third album, Youngblood (2018), opting for more synths than guitars.  That’s sort of where much of pop and even some rock is trending.  Anyways, CALM has been in the works for a while with the collective releasing singles “Easier” and “Teeth” in 2019, and “No Shame” arriving as their first single in 2020.  5SOS follows up “No Shame” with “Old Me.”

“Old Me” exemplifies the modern pop sound – no questions asked. There are guitars, which carry over from the 5SOS of past, but more notably, there are synths and an urban beat.  For a band that once had more of a rock spirit, it’s interesting to see the transformation that 5 Seconds of Summer has undergone.  That said, the boys still have an edge, at least where profanity is concerned.  Case in point, the chorus:

“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 lovers lonely
Had to fuck it up before I really got to know me…”

Of course, prior to that, Luke Hemmings asserts, “And I did some shit I never should’ve done,” on the pre-chorus.  At least he’s regretful.  Regretful about what? His past mistakes, actions, and a poor role as a lover. Like most 5SOS songs, there are plenty of songwriters who bring this record to life in addition to band members Ashton Irwin and Hemmings – Ali Tamposi, Andrew Wotman, Billy Walsh, Brian D. Lee, Dre Moon, and Louis Bell.  Wotman (Watt), Moon, and Bell also produce, crafting the sleek sound that’s predominantly pop, but also incorporates a few rock cues as well.

Final Thoughts

So, how does “Old Me” stack up? All in all, it’s another, well-rounded song courtesy of 5 Sounds of Summer.  Will it change your life? Nope, but it’s enjoyable, and Luke Hemmings sings expressively and honestly. Furthermore, it’s relatable.  We’ve all messed some things up in the past, sigh.

5 Seconds of Summer • CALM • Interscope • Release: 3.27.20

Photo Credit: Interscope