Despite that niggling urge to skip the odd mediocre track, the desire to play beauties like ‘High’ on loop wins in the end and CALM stands on a pedestal of near-perfection pop.

Full Review

Best of 2020

Worst of 2020

Recent Reviews

Clash

There’s no doubt 5 Seconds Of Summer have matured beyond their sound. 'CALM' is a refreshing evolution from the days of their self-titled debut. Their latest effort is by no means perfect, but the album is a testament to their growth.

Calm is the sound of a band whose influences have continued to evolve right along with them and their fans.

CALM is occasionally inspired, sometimes incredibly stupid, and most of all: surprisingly fine.

Their fourth record lacks the innocent fun of their first hits.

9mo

CALM ... suffers from underdeveloped themes and riveting originality. Ironically, there’s no tranquility or pulsation-just blandness.

Full Review

User Reviews

View All

Doofly

this album was so boring to listen to i forgot everything. So I'm going to write my review while listening to the album hopefully i don't go to sle

CharlieJK

The album starts with a real toe-tapper in "Red Desert", a song really kickstarts the album in an upbeat and funky way. It definitely seems to move away from the vibes on their album before, "Youngblood". The second song, "No Shame", was the second single released in support of the album. The chorus is very catchy and it's got a groovy, yet faint, guitar riff. This is a song that is a highlight on the album. Another single, "Old Me", is the third track. ... read more

gabciprianoo

The way these kids make a song is one of the things that impresses me by being so strong and their sentimental songs with the biggest broadcast I've seen since One Direction. The album gives us a coerencia, strong vocals, a good production and a harmony that makes it look great, in some moments we have a break from track to track but nothing that can be considered as incoerencia, but that can improve! His body of work is good to hear, full of romance and completely sincere with pop-rock.

thegeecyproject

One of the biggest musical surprises for me last year was when I found out about the Live From The Vault version of 5 Seconds of Summer’s “Easier”. While the radio version that I was most familiar with was a tepid electro-pop track with effects-laden singing and a disappointing retread from “Youngblood”, the live version feels like a different song entirely, notably in its inclusion of pummeling rock riffs and some actual power behind Luke Hemmings’ vocals. ... read more

1y*

✧*☆: * ☆ marvelgaryen

Not gonna lie, I'm very disappointed... I started to like them in Youngblood and know I feel like they're going downhill.. that said, 'No Shame', 'Easier' and 'Wildflower' are HUGE bops! Hope they can recover the quality content on the next album.. will see (they still a cool band though)

More user reviews

Purchasing CALM from Amazon helps support Album of the Year. Or consider a donation?