I purchased the album, totally stoked to own the #1 album, by 5 seconds of summer. Yet, that was two weeks ago, and since I first put it in my CD player, I can’t seem to stop listening to it.
It has now become the soundtrack of all my daily life activities:
- Working out
- Driving in the car
- Karaoke session in the shower
- Writing a scene in my novel
- Computer work
- Playing with my dogs
You get the idea. It’s a definite earworm.
Youngblood debuted at number one in Australia, becoming 5 Seconds of Summer’s third number-one album in their home country. It debuted atop the albums chart at the same week that the title track was number one for a fifth week on the singles chart.
In the United States, it became their third number-one album on the Billboard 200 chart, debuting with 142,000 album-equivalent units, including 117,000 in pure album sales. The album debuted ahead of the Carters’ (Beyoncé and Jay-Z) Everything Is Love, with industry forecasters initially unsure of which album would take the top spot. This made them the first Australian act with three number-one albums in the US. It also led to 5 Seconds of Summer being the first band (not vocal group) to have their first three full-length studio albums debut atop the Billboard 200.
The Australian pop rock band consists of four members:
5 Seconds of Summer consists of Luke Hemmings, Michael Clifford, Calum Hood, and Ashton Irwin. Clifford and Hood joined Hemmings in posting covers on YouTube, and Irwin joined the group during their first live gig in Australia, thus forming the band’s current line up.
- Luke Hemmings – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboard
- Calum Hood – bass guitar, vocals, keyboard
- Michael Clifford – lead guitar, vocals, keyboard
- Ashton Irwin – drums, percussion, vocals, keyboard
The band cited McFly, Blink-182, All Time Low, Mayday Parade, Green Day, My Chemical Romance, Boys Like Girls and Busted as their influences.
The guys write all their own music but this third album showcased a sound and songwriting style that was beyond their years as all four guys are between the ages of 21 and 23.
Song by Song Review (Regular Album version only)
“YoungBlood”: The album opens with a banger of a rock and roll song with pop musicality gives the atmospheric themes of the push and pull of a relationship.
This track especially showcases growth and maturity in their songwriting and artistry.
“Want You Back“: The lead single from their third album tells the story of a love that never truly ends. The song has a more pop electronic sound for cleaner melodies.
“Lie To Me”: A song about a love that doesn’t line up with an old school crooner musicality.
“Valentine“: Almost an “All I Want For Christmas” feel but for Valentine’s Day. It’s about a love that meets in the middle and has no expectations.
“Talk Fast”: My absolute favorite track on the album because of the 80’s musicality and lyrical content about a hit and run romance.
“Moving Along”: Pop musicality with a bit of their old sound, seal with a Nirvana drum solo, comes a song about thinking about someone you used to be in a relationship
“If Walls Could Talk”: Suggestive lyrics paint a sexy alternative pop song about the private lives of two people in a relationship that only the walls of their house, specifically their bedroom, get to witness.
“Better Man”: My second favorite because this song makes my heart happy because it’s romantic and sweet.
From the first note, this song will stick with you, maybe even soften you up. Reminiscing his ex lover, he knows that she brought out the best in him, and though he realizes he should be bitter, dappling in unhealthy habits like smoking and one night stands, he still cares and would die for her, if need be.
“More”: Musically, it is everything you wanted and more. Lyrically, this track discusses a new divide in a relationship that causes problems for both partners.
“Why Won’t You Love Me”: A rock n roll version of “Why Don’t You Love Me?” by Hot Chelle Rae with the musicality of Guns N Roses “Sweet Child Of Mine.”
“Woke Up In Japan”: A poetic look at love being caught within the pockets of time, leaving you feeling jet lag, disoriented, and empty.
“Empty Wallets”: An alternative look at being so in love with someone you are willing to spend all your money on them.
“Ghost of You”: A song about heartbreak post-breakup or after someone passes away.
Overall, Young Blood is something you may vibe with, or it may just become the soundtrack to your life. Either way, it is a musical masterpiece in any genre, country, or light.
The Smart Cookie Philes 