5 Seconds of Summer’s second album “Sounds Good Feels Good” offers an updated interpretation of early 2000s pop-punk with an emphasis on pop. The Madden brothers and producer John Feldmann, who has worked with bands like Good Charlotte and Story of the Year, have songwriting credits for the selection, adding their typical style to it.
While “Sounds Good Feels Good” is inspired by pop-punk greats, 5SOS resembles a slightly edgier, more punk version of One Direction, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though. 5SOS skillfully combines pop-punk’s characteristic loud guitar riffs and infectious hooks with a softer, bubble-gum pop vibe. Considering 5SOS’s fanbase overlaps with One Direction’s at times, the album’s pop emphasis is no surprise.
The lyrical content is similarly light, but 5SOS makes an admirable effort to spread the classic pop-punk message of nonconformity. Standout songs such as “She’s Kinda Hot” and “Hey Everybody!” rely on catchy choruses and encouraging words to engage listeners. However, 5SOS’s lyrics sound tame compared to the irreverent lyrics of legends like Blink-182 (e.g. “Crossed the street, naked at night / bent over to show some moonlight”). “Sounds Good Feels Good” probably reaches peak edginess in “Safety Pin,” when drummer Ashton Irwin wails, “raise ourselves and a middle finger / ‘cause they all think we’re twisted.” Though lacking in grit, 5SOS energetically delivers carefree, anthemic tunes in this album.
Musically and lyrically lacking the forceful substance of 2000s pop-punk, “Sounds Good Feels Good” fails to meet the genre’s standards. However, 5SOS’s fusion of lighter pop with the dynamic characteristics of pop-punk effectively creates a fun, feel-good album.
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