Ranking 5 Seconds of Summer Albums

Photo Source: 5 Seconds of Summer/BMG Rights Management

Photo Source: 5 Seconds of Summer/BMG Rights Management

Leigha Cignetti, Writer

In honor of the band 5 Seconds of Summer releasing their fifth studio album this past September, I’ll be ranking each of their albums based on my personal opinion.

 

5 Seconds of Summer, also known as 5SOS, is an Australian band made up of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Luke Hemmings, bassist and vocalist Calum Hood, lead guitarist and vocalist Michael Clifford, and drummer and vocalist Ashton Irwin.  

 

1. Youngblood

Photo Source: 5 Seconds of Summer/Modest Management

Released on June 15, 2018, Youngblood would become the band’s third album to peak at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. It also debuted at No. 1 in Australia, becoming 5SOS’s third number-one album in their home country. This album would make 5SOS become the only band in chart history to see its first three full-length studio albums enter the chart at No.1 on the Billboard 200.

 

In support of the album, four singles from the album were released: “Want You Back,” “Youngblood,” “Valentine,” and “Lie To Me.”

 

My favorite songs from the album are “If Walls Could Talk,” “More,” “Youngblood,” and “Babylon.”

 

The songs on the album are able to tell stories of dark times while still having that upbeat party feel. The band would step away from their “pop-punk” background and transition into just pop and pop-rock with this album. Youngblood was the album that caused me to become a fan of theirs, and I got to see them perform my favorite songs off the album in concert. This album will probably always be my favorite because of that.

2. 5SOS5

Released on Sept 23, 2022, 5SOS5 would debut at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and peaked at No. 1 in the band’s home country of Australia. Making it the band’s fifth album to hit number one. The album also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Album Sales, Digital Albums, and Current Pop Albums charts.

 

The singles “COMPLETE MESS,” “Take My Hand,” “Me Myself & I,” “Blender,” and “Older (Feat. Sierra Deaton)” were released in promotion of the album.

 

My favorite songs from the album are “Bad Omens,” “Easy For You To Say,” “Bleach,” and “Bloodhound.”

 

In my opinion, I loved the album as it brought a new-ish sound of indie to the band. The album has a good mix of calming and upbeat songs and a song for every occasion. You can tell each song has an individual story and the lyrics have a deep meaning. Leading me to rank this album at number two.

3. CALM

Photo Source: 5 Seconds of Summer/BMG Rights Management

Released on March 27, 2020, the album peaked at number No. 2 on the Billboard 200 barely missing the No. 1 spot due to a shipping error. The album would hit No. 1 in the U.K., Scotland, and the band’s home country of Australia. CALM would become the fourth album of theirs to hit No. 1.

 

The supporting singles of the album were “Easier,” “Teeth,” “No Shame,” and “Wildflower.”

 

My favorite songs from the album are “Lover Of Mine,” “Wildflower,” “Lonely Heart,” “Red Desert,” and “Best Years.”

 

The album has songs with themes of love, struggles, and views of the past. The lyrical growth and maturity of the band’s writing is really shown in this album. Just like the name, the album is mainly made up of calmer songs compared to high-energy “dance anthems.” Considering this I chose to rank it at number 3. I love this album and I think it fits really well in the middle spot.

4. Sounds Good Feels Good

Photo Source: 5 Seconds of Summer/Modest Management

Released on October 23, 2015, the album debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200 and hit the No. 1 spot in 7 countries including the band’s home country of Australia.

 

In support of the album, the singles “She’s Kinda Hot,” “Hey Everybody!,” “Jet Black Heart,” and the promotion singles “Fly Away” and “Money” were released. 

 

My favorite songs from the album are “Jet Black Heart,” “Waste The Night,” “Permanent Vacation,” and “Vapor.”

 

The lyrical growth from their first album to this one was huge, as half of the songs seem to have a deeper meaning. You get a good variety of songs with the mix of party songs and calmer songs, plus the 2-3 sad songs thrown into that mix. I love this album and I actually wanted to rank it at number 3, but I feel like this album was lacking something but I do not know exactly what.

5. 5 Seconds Of Summer

Photo Source: 5 Seconds of Summer/Modest Management

Fully released on June 27, 2014, it was the band’s debut studio album. The album peaked at No. 1 in 14 countries. The album would also debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and had the biggest first-week sales for a debut album by a group since 2006. This album would make 5 Seconds Of Summer the first Australian act to achieve a number-one album with their debut album.

 

The album was supported by the singles “She Looks So Perfect,” “Don’t Stop,” “Amnesia,” and “Good Girls” with promotional singles of “Kiss Me Kiss Me” and “Everything I Didn’t Say.”

 

My favorite songs off the album are “She Looks So Perfect,” “Amnesia,” “Voodoo Doll,” and “18.”

 

This album is one of the best pop-punk albums from the 2010s and kickstarted the band’s career. The album is full of party and “dance anthem” songs. I truly adore this album, but I chose to rank it at number 5 because it was the band’s first album. Causing it to become my baseline for ranking the other albums.

 

In the almost 11 years the band has been together, they have produced 5 number-one albums and broken many records. I strongly recommend readers to check the band out, because I believe they have an album and song for everyone.