After releasing Want You Back,” the underwhelming promo single for their third LP, ‘Youngblood,’ 5 Seconds of Summer returns much stronger on their second single, the album’s title track.

5 Seconds of Summer announced their return at the end of February with promo single, “Want You Back”. The results were meh at best – not quite the comeback expected from the edgy pop collective.  Sure, there was an f-bomb, but it wasn’t nearly as fun as the bitching incorporated into “She’s Kinda Hot.” With Youngblood on the horizon (arrives June 22), 5SOS drops a second single, “Youngblood.”The results are much stronger.

“Youngblood” kicks off the band’s third studio album, which is fitting.  This is an energetic, slickly produced pop cut.  As far as sound is concerned, there are guitars in the mix, but there are more synths in play compared to past 5SOS.  There’s no shame in that considering the sound suits the collective.  Furthermore, vocally, on the chorus, there’s still some edge that cuts through the sheen.

“Young blood

Say you want me, say you want me out of your life

And I’m just a dead man walking tonight

But you need it, yeah you need it all the time

Say you want me, say you want me back in your life

So I’m just a dead man crawling tonight

‘Cause I need it, yeah, I need it all of the time

Yeah, ooh, ooh, ooh.”

As far as the vocal performance on the verses, it’s a bit more restrained.  But for those who like to hear a dash of profanity, a damn is mustered up on the first verse (“Takes one to know one, yeah, you beat me at my own damn game”).

Final Thoughts 

All in all, “Youngblood” is an enjoyable, second single courtesy of the Aussie standouts.  Does 5 Seconds of Summer deliver the record of the year with “Youngblood?” No, but it’s definitely a fun listen by all means.

5 Seconds of Summer • Youngblood• Capitol • Release: 6.22.18

Photo Credit: Capitol