Album Review: Everyone's A Star by 5 Seconds Of Summer

Welcome to a new exploration of 5 Seconds of Summer’s latest album. The long-awaited release showcases the full spectrum of the band’s evolution. This record represents a culmination of ten years of growth, grief, reinvention, and joy, with each song emerging as a vivid and emotionally charged experience. Below, we examine the tracklist, one song at a time, focusing on the vocals, storytelling, and the album’s bold sonic direction.

Everyone’s a Star

“Everyone’s a Star” begins with raw studio energy, offering a glimpse into the band’s creative process. The drums resonate powerfully, while Luke’s vocals possess a familiar, ethereal quality. The bridge introduces a gentle brilliance, reminiscent of glitter in a spotlight. Sierra Hemmings is credited, contributing to the track’s emotional warmth. The song provides a sense of comfort, reminding listeners that even amid chaos, each individual retains their unique brilliance. It evokes the band reflecting on their past, affirming their resilience and continued presence.

Not Ok

“Not Ok” storms in as one of the most iconic singles of the era. From first listen to now, the track packs the same punch: cutting honesty, crisp mixing, and a guitar moment that hits like a hard truth at 2 a.m. The repetition of “jump” pushes the momentum higher and higher, building into that signature 5SOS emotional overload. When Ashton sings “I said I love you, but I didn’t really mean it, at least I don’t think,” the song collapses into a moment of messy humanity that feels so painfully real. It’s a declaration that, of course, we’re not ok, and maybe that’s the point. It’s a cathartic anthem for anyone fumbling through the contradictions of adulthood.

Telephone Busy

“Telephone Busy” races forward with a frantic pace that borders on rap, driven by rhythmic delivery that makes the entire song feel like a heartbeat skipping out of rhythm. The layered vocals hover between chaos and clarity, while lines like “good things come to those who wait” sit alongside heavier moments, such as “you’re just uncomfortable being with somebody who’s good for you,” offering a complex portrait of self-sabotage and emotional deflection. The “oh why” sections of the chorus are a chef’s kiss moment, sharpening the addictive energy of the track. Ashton is a complete force here, pushing 5SOS into new territory with confidence.

Boyband

“Boyband” lands as one of the most emotionally complex songs on the album, thriving off a deceptively upbeat beat while carrying a heavy ache underneath. In earlier interviews, the band revealed that this track emerged from a darker emotional place, shaped in part by the passing of longtime friend and fellow pop-era survivor Liam Payne. The song critiques invasive fan behavior with sharp imagery, such as “take my photograph and lick it with a wet tongue,” and it tackles the media’s dismissive treatment of groups labeled as boy bands, singing, “Raised on pop punk and bubble gum, stay young, love me till I get it wrong.” The outro is haunting, grounding the track with a moment that feels like a deep breath after years of noise. It’s iconic, introspective, and painfully honest.

No. 1 Obsession

“No. 1 Obsession” erupts with an insane drum intro and some of the cleanest mixing 5SOS has ever delivered. Every layer, instrument, and harmony sits so crisp and intentional that it feels like you’re inside the studio with them. The song explores how love can pull you through emotional darkness, with lines like “I know that boys don’t cry, but I got teary eyes” and “in your reflection God you make me feel alive.” Luke’s vocals soar over the instrumentation, sometimes melting into a shout that feels beautifully unrestrained. The fade-out wraps the track in warmth, leaving behind a lingering glow. It’s easily one of the strongest songs on the record.

I’m Scared I’ll Never Sleep Again

This track opens with energetic pop-punk elements, sharp vocals, and a driving beat. Calum’s performance combines nostalgia with a contemporary edge. The lyrics convey intense longing, insomnia, and turbulent affection, as seen in lines such as “sex and a smoke,” “I wanna kiss your nineties face,” and “every bed is cold without your body in it.” The reference to New York, “I know that New York makes you sick,” further heightens the song’s emotional intensity. From the initial listen, this track stands out as a leading favorite among fans.

Istillfeelthesame

“Istillfeelthesame” moves with a hypnotic pace, built on a beat that feels familiar. “Istillfeelthesame” progresses with a captivating rhythm, anchored by a beat that evokes a sense of familiarity and comfort. The song is infused with nostalgia, memory, and the enduring nature of love that transcends its conclusion. The admission, “I remember things only you would know,” carries significant emotional resonance. The outro offers a gentle, atmospheric release, reminiscent of the relief that comes with finally letting go.

Ghost

This track is understated yet powerful. It is sonically delicate and ethereal. The lyrics explore identity, reflection, and fear of confronting the parts of ourselves we project onto the people we love, with lines like “late at night, we’re the same, it shows you and I haunted by a similar ghost” and “I can’t look you in the eyes because I’m afraid it looks like me.” Sierra Hemmings once again appears in the credits, adding emotional intimacy to a song that already feels carved from glass. It’s peaceful, painful, and quietly spectacular.

Sick of Myself

“Sick of Myself” offers a guitar-driven release, letting frustration and exhaustion spill out in beautifully crafted vocals. The song explores self-criticism, and the draining repetition of life with lines like “everything’s Monday, clock just goes one way.” The inspirations behind the track resonate through the sound, drawing from early 2010s alt-rock while still retaining a distinctly 5SOS feel. It’s another song that fights for a place in the top favourites list.

Evolve

“Evolve” opens with a powerful beat that creates a sense of excitement and energy. It features a witty refrain bringing their classic humor. The intricate vocal layering ensures that each listen offers new details. The lyrics address recurring emotional patterns, as in “round and around an emotional junkie,” and the sampling related to girls’ brains in the interlude stands out as a distinctive production choice. The track is bold, precise, and highly engaging.

The Rocks

“The Rocks” synthesizes elements from every phase of 5SOS’s career into a cohesive statement. The introductory vocals are immediately engaging, and the lyrics convey maturity and introspection developed through years of experience with love, loss, and public attention. The track is impactful, satisfying, and strategically positioned within the album’s emotional progression.

Jawbreaker

“Jawbreaker” concludes the album with a driving rhythm, prominent percussion, and vocals that evoke a sense of finality. The lyrics are particularly poignant, as in “I’m a sunset shattering,” and Sierra Hemmings is once again credited, reinforcing the album’s emotional continuity. The track provides a cinematic conclusion, leaving listeners with a blend of melancholy, optimism, and admiration.