“NOT OK” Pushes 5SOS Into Their Boldest Era Yet
Reinvention. That is the idea that 5 Seconds of Summer has been incorporating into their artistry for the thirteen years they have been together as a band. Their latest single, “NOT OK”, might be the most striking example yet. They are masters at discovering new ways to grow as musicians, whether that’s as a band or with their solo projects, yet they still preserve their iconic 5SOS sound. What begins with Luke Hemmings’ punching admission — “Inside every one of us a shadow side / I call it my better side / I call it the ‘call-me-up-if-you-wanna-feel-better’ side” — soon unravels into a thrilling rollercoaster of gritty self-awareness, reckless indulgence, and shameless intensity.
“NOT OK” is a song that not only understands chaos, but embraces it, using filtered vocals, booming chants, and electronic adlibs, while also playfully adding in tire squeals and bubble-like sounds in the verses. Every sonic detail feels intentional, creating a haze that somehow sobers you up while dragging you deeper into the manic rush. The stumbling, half-talking tone of the verses is a cool contrast to the electric pop-punk energy of the choruses. When the listener gets to the pre-chorus, there’s an overwhelming hype as the shouting in the background begins to overpower Ashton Irwin’s singing voice as they yell “Jump, jump, jump!” This urgency is fueled by the addition of tambourines clashing and the adrenaline-driven rhythms. It feels as though you are wandering around the gritty city, sweating and dazed from a crazy night out, yet still pumping with energy.
The hook sinks the listener down even further into this whirling atmosphere with the chant: “Bite the apple, baby!” — a call to indulge in all the poisonous, addictive cycles we can’t help but return to. Using a mixture of half-coherent talking, quick tambourine shakes, and siren-like sounds in the back, the bridge teases a false comedown, only to blare into an electrifying guitar solo by Michael Clifford. The track comes to a halt as Calum Hood repeats one of his earlier verses, “Oh my god, I feel invincible,” as his voice slows and distorts into its final collapse, leaving the listener buzzing and out of breath.
The collective energy between each member of the band is what really stands out in “NOT OK.” Each member gets their moment to shine, hence the title of their upcoming album, EVERYONE’S A STAR! Their independent passions and talents swirl together effortlessly as they create another piece of music that is both refreshing and unrelenting. For those longtime fans out there, this single can even be seen as an evolution of the band’s second and third albums. Blending the youthful recklessness of their second album, Sounds Good Feels Good, and the darker maturity of their third album, Youngblood.
Despite the specific story and/or meaning the band may have had in mind while creating this song, they still managed to write it in a way that applies to many people and their various situations. “NOT OK” is a track about embracing the rowdy, careless side of yourself — whether that’s in a relationship with a romantic partner, yourself, or quite simply the party life. Whatever the case, it's a destructive temptation that you know has cons, but the pros of it are what make you feel the most alive.
5 Seconds of Summer has tackled a new musical terrain with “NOT OK”, and the risk has definitely paid off. This new era isn’t afraid to get messy, loud, and unhinged — an energy that we can only hope will expand with the rest of their upcoming album, EVERYONE’S A STAR!.