Once again, 5 Seconds of Summer has overwhelmed us with their newest album Sounds Good Feels Good which certainly lives up to its name. October 23rd came slowly for fans anxiously waiting for the next 5sos album to be released.

With a hit single “She’s Kinda Hot” and a new music video for “Hey Everybody!” the fans were dying to see what else the band had in store. We had a “sneak peak” look with the “She’s Kinda Hot” EP and already released songs from the album such as “Money,” “Fly Away,” and “Jet Black Heart.”

From this, the fans could figure out this album was going to be significantly different from the first one, which came out in 2014. This self-named album had more pop influence whereas ‘Sounds Good Feels Good’ has a more pop punk sound to it.

Songs like “Permanent Vacation” and “Castaway” both display strong rock influenced guitar melodies and drum beats while more emotional songs such as “Broken Home” and “Invisible” both use violins at some time to express sentimental emotions. “Broken Home” is a perfect example of a  tearjerker song. Because it’s a familiar story and poetically describes a story it’s hard not to be able to grasp the intellectual meaning.   

They would yell, they would scream, they were fighting it out

She would hope, she would pray, she was waiting it out

Holding onto a dream

While she watches these walls fall down

Anyone who comes from a broken family can easily relate to these lyrics which makes this song all the more emotional.

If you are not a fan of 5 Seconds of Summer, you probably only know them from “The Underwear Song,” better known as “She Looks so Perfect.” Although some may argue that they are a boy band, they are slowly approaching a new pop punk sound and more of their songs are similar to songs of their idols, All Time Low.

On the extended Target version of Sounds Good Feels Good, two bonus tracks, ‘The Space Between a Rock And a Hard Place” and ‘The Story of Another Us’ are added. “The Space Between a Rock and a Hard Place” shares both a song title that All Time Low might name one of their songs, and similar sounding music.

I have yet to listen to a 5 Seconds of Summer song I don’t enjoy. Of course some of the songs on Sounds Good Feels Good aren’t as compelling as others. Some of the weaker songs, in my opinion would have to be “Catch Fire” and “Vapor.” Although “Catch Fire” reminds me of a 2013 One Direction song, it has more pop influence, whereas, most of their album focuses on a more pop punk and rock genre.

“Vapor,” however shows more repetition during the verses which is a disappointment considering how soothing the chorus is.

I’ll take what you got, got, got

I know it’s not a lot, lot, lot

Cause I just need another hit

You’re the thing that I can’t quit

The verses aren’t as strong as they could be, but altogether the song is an easy listen and it’s catchy which makes the song more enjoyable.

Besides “Broken Home,” stronger songs on the album (vocally and musically) would have to be “Jet Black Heart” and “Outer Space/Carry On.” When the “She’s Kinda Hot” EP debuted, “Jet Black Heart” became a fan favorite. Whether it be Michael Clifford’s singing during the chorus, Luke Hemmings’ voice crack, or the deep, poetic meaning, this powerful and impassioned song has won the hearts of many.

One of the wisest decisions for this album was to have “Outer Space/Carry On” be the ending and closing song. Similarly to “Jet Black Heart,” “Outer Space” consists of heartrending lyrics with a roughly 40 second interlude of rain sound effects before it fades into “Carry On.” “Outer Space” gives the album an adventurous and imaginative feel.

Nothing like the rain, 

When you’re in outer space,

Love me like you did,

I’ll give you anything, 

The lyrics “nothing like the rain when you’re in outer space” wraps up the song.

Producer, John Feldman said to Fuse, “We were doing 120-hour weeks for months on end. At the end, it was like ‘Eh, it’s a good day. Carry on!’ It’s not like we’re digging ditches.”

Not each song on the album is emotional with intellectual meaning behind it. Some of my favorites that just put me in a good mood with their carefree and easygoing lyrics would be “San Francisco” and “Airplanes.” Both songs are upbeat and the verses flow into the chorus beautifully.

Overall I give Sounds Good Feels Good a solid ten out of ten. It’s difficult for 5 Seconds of Summer to disappoint me seeing how they haven’t done it yet.