i have ✨thoughts✨
let me preface by saying: 5SOS5 > CALM. since CALM was my first release of them, i'll always hold it close but...i also have majorly only that album for direct comparison so... apologies in advance!
while in retrospect CALM feels like a rushed project with limited and repeated themes, they seem to have taken their sweet time with 5SOS5. its sound and words both appear well-rounded and intentional. easily one of the top 3 of all time. it's not their best (yb my queen) but it's giving...a sense of freedom and maturity (that comes with age and more life experiences) and i dig it so bad.
the biggest takeaway from 5SOS5, for me, is the way they've used all the boys' vocals. as much as i love luke being the lead vocalist, they all have unique vocals and i just got so happy when i could hear those verses in each of their voices. secondly, i hope michael gets all the love and recognition he deserves for producing some of those gems along with his vocals of course! maybe it's just my emo heart but i root for him every time i hear him sing. but... 5sos5 produced by michael clifford... and how (i'm aware there's other producers lol) but he's done a phenomenal job and i need him to know that.
i haven't really kept up with fandom reactions, charts and reviews and stuff so i'm not aware if the album was well-received. i just hope it was!!! they're learning and living life and doing their thing in their own corner where no one's watching (except for their fans of course) and i hope they get more love in future, they definitely deserve a greater spotlight and i am waiting for it for them


















