Luke Hemmings, Calum Hood, Ashton Irwin, and Michael Clifford of Aussie band 5SOS are back! This time with their first-ever self-produced track called “COMPLETE MESS,” which follows their celebratory 10th anniversary single, “2011” released last December. You can expect the new single to be part of their upcoming fifth studio album — the first under their new label, BMG Records.
Here below are my first reactions to the song/official music video!
“COMPLETE MESS” by 5 Seconds of Summer
0:08 I love how bright and sunny the video starts off with in the middle of a desert for this establishing shot. 🏜️
0:16 Amazing drone shot as we see the guys trekking across the desolate landscape! 📹
0:40 The lyrics suggest an imbalance in a relationship. Perhaps a breakup occurred recently and your idea of a perfect world together doesn’t exactly match your ex’s vision. A very tough situation to be in. 💔 😔
0:48 Regrets and deep contemplation mode. 🥴 🤔
0:57 I enjoy the tempo change here as we enter the chorus section of the song. Definitely play it with earbuds or headphones for maximum effect!! 😊
1:08 Artsy shot of the guys mouthing the song in sync while lying down on the sand. 😎😎😎😎
1:15 Oof, the dissolving sand effect represents this heartbreaking feeling to a tee. 😐
1:22 This shot must’ve been a fun challenge to film. That feeling of falling down slowly as we see lead singer Luke Hemmings suspended in the air. 😮
1:48 The guys shown walking further apart in this drone shot represent that deep relationship drift in my opinion. Very poetic! 😮😮
1:55 Now on top of that we get this wavy hypnotic effect added. This here can suggest the utter confusion one might feel soon after a split or even weeks or months after. 😵
2:07 The chorus simply gives me the chills in a good way! 👍🏽👍🏽
2:17 Trippy effects!! Ahhh! 👏🏽👏🏽
2:30 Sandy shenanigans LOL! 😂 😅
2:45 Love this section of the song with the guitars at the forefront. 🎸🎸
3:02 More interesting camera angles! Now it feels like they’re speaking to you as you yourself have fallen into a spiral or a state of sadness and have awoken at night on the desert scene after your heartbreaking separation from your now ex. 📷
3:10 Tumbling of emotions! 👀
3:26 The full moon shines bright as the guys stare up in awe. This could represent some clarity for some or perhaps further contemplation of life and your decisions that led up to this moment. 🌕
I commend the hit pop-rock group for doing their own thing now with more creative control. I appreciate the fact that each member contributed their vocals/production skills to the song. They each got a shining moment.
I’m definitely looking forward to hearing the new album and new and evolved sounds/styles emerge. How about you? Will you be seeing them on tour?
Comment below and voice your opinions about this track and what the future might hold for the band!
Thanks for reading my thoughts in this week’s New Music Friday post! I hope you enjoyed the pick of the week as much as I did!
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Philip's Music Corner 
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