Calm (album)

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Calm
A picture of all 5 Seconds of Summer members laying down on a black blanket hanging out with the word "5SOS" which is the short way to say "5 Seconds of Summer" and we see the letters "C A L M" underneath.
Studio album by
5 Seconds of Summer
Released27 March 2020 (2020-03-27)
Length39:30
Label
Producer
5 Seconds of Summer chronology
Meet You There Tour Live
(2018) 		Calm
(2020)
5 Seconds of Summer studio album chronology
Youngblood
(2018) 		Calm
(2020)
Singles from Calm
  1. "Easier"
    Released: 23 May 2019
  2. "Teeth"
    Released: 21 August 2019
  3. "No Shame"
    Released: 5 February 2020
  4. "Old Me"
    Released: 6 March 2020[1]
  5. "Wildflower"
    Released: 25 March 2020[2][3]

Calm (stylised as C A L M, an acronym of the first letters of the band members' names, Calum, Ashton, Luke and Michael)[4][5] is the fourth studio album by Australian pop rock band 5 Seconds of Summer, released on 27 March 2020.[6] Due to a shipping error, around 10,000 copies of the album were released early in the US, subsequently allowing the album to chart a week before it was due.[7]

Prior to the album's release, the band released a four-track "Relaxation" remix collection via the meditation app, Calm. The collection features each bandmember reimagining a different track off the album in collaboration with producer Matt Pauling: guitarist Michael Clifford on "Easier", bassist Calum Hood on "Old Me", drummer Ashton Irwin on "Red Desert", and guitarist and vocalist Luke Hemmings on "Best Years".[8]

Promotion

The album was announced on the band's social media on 5 February 2020.[9] A few days earlier, the band also confirmed that they will embark on the No Shame Tour to support the album, set to kick off in May 2020.[10]

The promotion of the album was heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and the stay-at-home order, which forced the band to cancel promotional appearances and concerts. Instead, the band members did a number of radio and TV interviews over phone or videocall and resorted to interacting with fans online via live streams and Q&As on Twitter.[11] On 26 March 2020, Hemmings performed an acoustic version of "Old Me" on the "At Home Edition" of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[12]

Background and inspiration

The band were inspired by a lot of industrial music whilst working on the album, which helped them achieve a "rhythm side" on the songs, and in turn lends to the melodic writing and the melodic process. Drummer Ashton Irwin explained: "As far as sonic inspirations go, we always try to incorporate some of what everyone is actually listening to so it's a more genuine and influenced record that we can speak on." The album contains a "lighter" sound in comparison to the band's previous work. Lead vocalist Luke Hemmings said he felt like the last album was "pretty heavy and dark [...] Whereas this one has that side of it with the lighter side of life and moving forward rather than being stuck in one place".[13] The band's bassist Calum Hood said most of the credit is owed to Hemmings, whose lyrics, Hood said, "tell the tale of a man who has matured over the years and who has really honed in on his craft". Hood, however, noted: "I think everyone had something to say with this album, in terms of their coming of age - in really reflecting on the people who we were and how things shaped us, and who we want to become in the future." He further described the album as "pretty chaotic at times".[5]

Unlike previous 5 Seconds of Summer albums, Calm features Luke Hemmings as sole lead vocalist on all but one track, "Wildflower", which is sung by Calum Hood.

Music and composition

Amelia Parreira of Riff magazine summarized the album, saying 5 Seconds of Summer bring forth a "new musical density and electrifying nuance on Calm, with a misleading name for a body of work that is anything but sonically mellow". The album's opening track, the "groovy, anthemic" "Red Desert" hinges on psychedelia, with the "gospel-like vocals" of Luke Hemmings. The song contains light bass vibration from bassist Calum Hood. The song's theme is about "contentment and falling in love", which Parreira noted sets the album's tone. Track 2, "No Shame" features a "retro '80s pop vibe", layered with "explosive instrumentals over meaningful lyrics and raw stories". Hemmings delivers high notes on the song. "Old Me", lyrically reflects on past mistakes, and is a high-energy "dance anthem". "Easier", released as the album's lead single, has a conversational tone, with "mellow" electro instrumentation. Second single "Teeth", is a grungy, rock-tinged song, with an energetic, catchy chorus. Wildflower", similarly to "No Shame", is reminiscent of '80s pop, consisting of a "Beach Boys-like vocal chant before a rise in bass and synth undertones set a romantic tone on the verses". "Best Years" move at a slower pace, albeit containing a "danceable vibe". The piano-led "Lover of Mine" features intertwining guitar strumming patterns and "powerful vocal styles". "Thin White Lies" is an "angst-ridden" dance-esque track, with "strong electric beats". The album concludes with the slow-burner "Lonely Heart" and the self-reflcetive "High", both ballads, with slightly energetic production, marking a "calm end" to the album.[14][4]

Singles

The album's lead single, "Easier", was released via Interscope on 23 May 2019. The second single, "Teeth" was released on 21 August 2019 and was also included in the 13 Reasons Why: Season 3 (Music from the Original TV Series) soundtrack. "No Shame" was released as the third single on 5 February 2020, alongside the album announcement.[15] "Old Me", originally released on 21 February 2020 as the first promotional single from the album, was released to radio on 6 March 2020 as the album's fourth single.[16] "Wildflower" was released as the album's fifth single on 25 March 2020.[17][3]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic70/100[21]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[18]
auspOp[19]
Clash8/10[20]
The Line of Best Fit8/10[22]

At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, Calm received an average score of 70, based on five reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews."[21] Album of the Year assessed the critical consensus as a 70 out of 100.[23]

Billboard called the album, "an accomplished exploration of the group's expanding palette" and praised the band for their ability to "expertly synthesize their influences into fresh-feeling gems".[24] Malvika Padin of Gigwise gave the album a positive review, writing: "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". Padin noted how the album is "split into two distinct, yet cohesive, sections of music that are authentically 5SOS" and labeled the album "a look into the journey of four young boys growing up and getting pulled into the addictive power of fame".[4] An auspOp music critic wrote "the title gives away the general feel of this album – personal and a bit more subdued" and found the album "takes a melodic approach, but is no less engaging or listenable."[19] Matt Collar, writing for AllMusic, called the album "the sound of a band whose influences have continued to evolve right along with them and their fans" while naming the group "a sophisticated pop outfit."[18] Zoya Raza-Sheikh of Clash opined that their latest effort is "by no means perfect, but the album is a testament to their growth."[20] Sophia Simon-Bashall from The Line of Best Fit gave the album a positive review, stating that "Australia's premier boy-band prove themselves worthy pop stars on their next step forward." Bashall continued, stating that Calm is "a perfect pop record, from start to finish - there's not a single filler track, each is distinctive and shows off the band's impressive range."[22]

Commercial performance

Calm debuted atop the Australian ARIA Albums Chart, and thus became the band's fourth consecutive album to debut at number-one in their home country. The album also debuted atop the UK Albums Chart, earning first week sales of 34,940 units and becoming their second number-one album in the country and first since the release of Sounds Good Feels Good.[25]

Due to a shipping error, 11,000 copies were released early in the US, causing Calm to debut a week early at number 62 on the Billboard 200, before ascending to number two in its second week, marking the band's fifth top 10 album. In its second week, it earned 133,000 album-equivalent units, including 113,000 pure album sales, making it the best-selling album of the week. It was kept from the number-one spot by The Weeknd's After Hours by 5,000 units.[26] The fact that the album would have been number-one if it hadn't mistakenly been released a week early, sparked outrage among the band's fans with hashtags such as #BillboardCountThe10k trending on Twitter and the creation of a petition with more than 30,000 signatures. Several radio stations like Sirius XM Hits 1 and radio hosts like Elvis Duran, also voiced their support for the band either on-air or on Twitter.[27][28] However, according to Billboard, their policy is to reflect album sale activity in the tracking week that the paying customer receives an album.[26]

Track listing

Calm track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Red Desert"
Matthew Pauling3:49
2."No Shame"
3:10
3."Old Me"
  • Watt
  • Bell
  • Dre Moon
3:04
4."Easier"
  • Puth
  • Bell
  • Watt
2:37
5."Teeth"
  • Watt
  • Bell
3:24
6."Wildflower"
Gorres3:40
7."Best Years"
  • Hemmings
  • Tedder
  • Tamposi
  • Wotman
  • Perez
3:10
8."Not in the Same Way"
  • Watt
  • Blanco
3:40
9."Lover of Mine"
  • Irwin
  • Hemmings
  • Sierra Deaton
  • Tamposi
  • Wotman
  • Perez[30]
  • Watt
  • Perez
3:26
10."Thin White Lies"
  • Hood
  • Hemmings
  • Irwin
  • Clifford
  • Tamposi
  • Wotman
  • Perez
  • Carter Lang
  • Watt
  • Perez
3:02
11."Lonely Heart"
  • Hood
  • Hemmings
  • Irwin
  • Clifford
  • Pauling
Pauling3:24
12."High"
  • Hood
  • Irwin
  • Hemmings
  • Clifford
  • Tamposi
  • Wotman
  • Bell
  • Watt
  • Bell
2:58
Total length:39:30
PLUS1 bonus track[31]
No.TitleLength
13."Kill My Time"3:55
Total length:43:25
Deluxe edition bonus tracks[32]
No.TitleLength
13."Easier" (Live from the Vault)3:26
14."Teeth" (Live from the Vault)3:35
15."No Shame" (Live from the Vault)3:22
Total length:49:53
Calum picture disc bonus track
No.TitleLength
13."Old Me" (Calm Remix)10:21
Ashton picture disc bonus track
No.TitleLength
13."Red Desert" (Calm Remix)8:41
Luke picture disc bonus track
No.TitleLength
13."Best Years" (Calm Remix)9:18
Michael picture disc bonus track
No.TitleLength
13."Easier" (Calm Remix)8:30

Charts

Calm chart performance
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[33] 1
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[34] 4
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[35] 7
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[36] 38
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[37] 7
Czech Albums (ČNS IFPI)[38] 81
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[39] 22
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[40] 5
Estonian Albums (Eesti Tipp-40)[41] 4
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[42] 23
French Albums (SNEP)[43] 42
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[44] 7
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[45] 8
Irish Albums (OCC)[46] 4
Italian Albums (FIMI)[47] 25
Japan Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[48] 66
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[49] 77
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)[50] 6
Mexican Albums (AMPROFON)[51] 2
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[52] 4
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[53] 15
Polish Albums (ZPAV)[54] 7
Portuguese Albums (AFP)[55] 4
Scottish Albums (OCC)[56] 1
Slovak Albums (ČNS IFPI)[57] 82
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[58] 26
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[59] 13
UK Albums (OCC)[60] 1
US Billboard 200[26] 2

See also

References

  1. ^ "5 Seconds to Summer - Old Me (Radio Date: 06-03-2020)". Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  2. ^ "5 Seconds of Summer Release New Single "Wildflower"". Broadway World. 25 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  3. ^ a b "5 Seconds of Summer's Calum Hood drops single "Wildflower" lyric video ahead of CALM album release". Meaww. 24 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  4. ^ a b c Padin, Malvika (26 March 2020). "Album Review: 5 Seconds Of Summer - CALM". Gigwise. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  5. ^ a b Dresdale, Andrea (30 March 2020). "With new album 'C A L M,' 5 Seconds of Summer says they "weren't afraid of pushing the boundaries"". ABC News Radio. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  6. ^ Quiles, Alyssa (5 February 2020). "5 Seconds of Summer Drop Calm Album Details with Single "No Shame"". Alternative Press. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  7. ^ 5 Seconds of Summer (verified account) [@5SOS] (March 30, 2020). "5 Seconds of Summer announcement" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 March 2020 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ Aniftos, Rania (27 March 2020). "Stay 'CALM,' 5 Seconds of Summer's New Album Has Arrived". Billboard. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  9. ^ Shaffer, Claire (5 February 2020). "5 Seconds of Summer Announce New Album Calm, Drop "No Shame"". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  10. ^ Mims, Taylor (31 January 2020). "5 Seconds of Summer Have 'No Shame' Tour Set for North America: See the Dates". Billboard. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  11. ^ "How 5 Seconds of Summer is staying 'C A L M' amid COVID-19". WRMF. 25 March 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  12. ^ "5 Seconds of Summer's Luke Hemmings Performs "Old Me" On "Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" (Watch Now)". Headline Planet. 27 March 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  13. ^ "5 Seconds of Summer inspired by industrial music on new album CALM". Herald & Review. 23 March 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  14. ^ Parreria, Amelia (27 March 2020). "Album review: 5 Seconds of Summer bring high energy to 'CALM'". Riff magazine. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  15. ^ Weatherby, Taylor (5 February 2020). "5 Seconds of Summer Reveal New Song "No Shame", Announce Calm Album: See When It's Coming". Billboard. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  16. ^ "Singles to Radio". The Music Network. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  17. ^ "5 Seconds of Summer on Twitter: Wildflower out now". 24 March 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020 – via Twitter.
  18. ^ a b Collar, Matt (3 April 2020). "Calm - 5 Seconds of Summer". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  19. ^ a b "Calm Yourself, David Checks Out the 5SOS Album". auspOp. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  20. ^ a b Raza-Sheikh, Zoya (1 April 2020). "5 Seconds Of Summer - CALM". Clash. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  21. ^ a b "Calm by 5 Seconds of Summer, Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  22. ^ a b Simon-Bashall, Sophia (26 March 2020). "5 Seconds Of Summer - C A L M". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  23. ^ a b "5 Seconds of Summer Calm". Album of the Year. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  24. ^ "First Stream: Dua Lipa, PartyNextDoor, Pearl Jam". Billboard. March 27, 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  25. ^ "5 Seconds Of Summer beat Dua Lipa to albums top spot". sportsmole.co.uk.
  26. ^ a b c Caulfield, Keith (5 April 2020). "The Weeknd's 'After Hours' Spends Second Week at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  27. ^ Darus, Alex (2020-04-05). "Here's how 5 Seconds Of Summer fans are trying to fix a chart results error". Alternative Press. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  28. ^ "5 Seconds of Summer Fans Hit Back at Band's Low US Chart Placing". Rolling Stone Australia. 5 April 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  29. ^ "Wildflower / 5 Seconds of Summer - ACE Repertory Work ID: 906872673". ASCAP. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  30. ^ "Lover of Mine / 5 Seconds of Summer - ACE Repertory Work ID: 907012535". ASCAP. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  31. ^ "Signed C A L M PLUS1 CD + Digital PLUS1 album". 5 Seconds of Summer Official Shop. Archived from the original on March 28, 2020.
  32. ^ "CALM Deluxe CD". 5 Seconds of Summer Official Store. Universal Music. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  33. ^ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. 6 April 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  34. ^ "Austriancharts.at – 5 Seconds of Summer – Calm" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  35. ^ "Ultratop.be – 5 Seconds of Summer – Calm" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  36. ^ "Ultratop.be – 5 Seconds of Summer – Calm" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  37. ^ "The Weeknd Enjoys Second Consecutive Week at No. 1". FYIMusicNews. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  38. ^ "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Note: On the chart page, select 14.Týden 2020 on the field besides the words "CZ – ALBUMS – TOP 100" to retrieve the correct chart. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  39. ^ "Hitlisten.NU – Album Top-40 Uge 13, 2020". Hitlisten. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  40. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – 5 Seconds of Summer – Calm" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  41. ^ Nestor, Siim (7 April 2020). "EESTI TIPP-40 MUUSIKAS: Dua Lipa keeras The Weekndil kaela kahekorra". Eesti Ekspress (in Estonian). Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  42. ^ "5 Seconds of Summer: Calm" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  43. ^ "Top Albums (Week 14, 2020)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  44. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – 5 Seconds of Summer – Calm" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  45. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2020. 14. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  46. ^ "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  47. ^ "Album – Classifica settimanale WK 14 (dal 27.3.2020 al 2.4.2020)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  48. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums 2020/4/6". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  49. ^ "ファイヴ・セカンズ・オブ・サマーの売上ランキング". Oricon. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  50. ^ "ALBUMŲ TOP100" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 3 April 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  51. ^ "AMPROFON Top Album - Semanal (del 10 al 16 de abril de 2020)" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original on 12 May 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  52. ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 6 April 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  53. ^ "VG-lista – Topp 40 Album uke 14, 2020". VG-lista. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  54. ^ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  55. ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – 5 Seconds of Summer – Calm". Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  56. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  57. ^ "Slovak Albums – Top 100" (in Slovak). ČNS IFPI. Retrieved 7 April 2020. Note: On the chart page, select "SK – Albums – Top 100" and then 202014 in the boxes at the top, and then click the word "Zobrazit" to retrieve the correct chart data
  58. ^ "Veckolista Album, vecka 14". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  59. ^ "Swisscharts.com – 5 Seconds of Summer – Calm". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  60. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
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