5 Seconds of Summer's 'Everyone's a Star!' is a bold and compelling album that tackles the pressures of fame and the complexities of love with charisma and vulnerability. The Sydney-born group has evolved since their pop hit 'Youngblood', shedding their genre identity crisis and returning with a focused vision. The album's second single, 'Boyband', explores the draining pressures of fame with dark, pulsing electronic production and a tongue-in-cheek chorus, reclaiming the narrative of artists with female fanbases. 'Boyband' is co-written and produced by past collaborator John Ryan, showcasing a chameleon-like touch. The album opens with the title track, setting a gritty tone, and 'No. 1 Obsession' delves into the serotonin and dopamine of modern life. 'NOTOK', 'Telephone Busy', and 'Evolve' experiment with distorted spoken-word vocals, exploring self-destructive habits. 'Ghost' is a personal track for Luke Hemmings, co-written by his wife, Sierra, with psychedelic synths swirling in the background. 'I'm Scared I'll Never Sleep Again' is a breakup anthem, while 'istillfeelthesame' is an aural panic attack. 'Sick of Myself' is a pop-rock banger, and 'The Rocks' has a punk-pop essence. The album ends with the rousing love song 'Jawbreaker', where Hemmings admits his vulnerabilities. 5SOS's exploration of love, addiction, and parasocial relationships is presented with charisma and vulnerability, a refreshing departure from their previous work. 'Everyone's a Star!' is an electric tapestry of sound, offering a breath of fresh air in a mainstream music landscape dominated by bland male folk-pop acts. The album is available now on Spotify, and fans can catch the group on the Rolling Stone Uncut podcast.
