“I’ve always been aware of 5 Seconds of Summer, especially from their earlier pop-rock days and the way they became such a recognizable name in pop music, but CALM is one of those albums that made me realize there’s more to the band than the hits I already knew.
What I like about CALM is how much 5SOS continues to experiment with their sound. There are moments that feel very pop-focused, others that lean darker and more atmospheric, and then you get songs like “Wildflower” that are just incredibly easy to fall into. “Teeth” and “Easier” have this darker edge that really shows how much their sound had evolved since their earlier records, while “Best Years” is one of those songs that feels genuinely warm and personal.
I wouldn’t say every song hits me equally, but that’s part of what makes the album interesting. It feels like a band that isn’t afraid to try different things instead of simply recreating what worked for them before. You can hear the influence of their earlier pop-rock identity, but there’s also a much more mature approach to the production and songwriting.
“Wildflower” is probably the song that stands out the most for me. It’s bright, catchy and effortlessly replayable. Meanwhile, “High” and “Best Years” show a softer side of the band that I really appreciate.
Overall, CALM feels like another important step in 5SOS growing beyond the image people initially had of them. I may have been familiar with the band for years, but listening to this album gave me a better appreciation for how much they’ve evolved.
Not necessarily a perfect album, but definitely one that shows why 5 Seconds of Summer became more than just the pop-rock band people remembered from their early days.”
