Calm
| 5 Seconds of Summer
Calm
Calm (stylised as C A L M, an acronym of the first letters of the band members' names, Calum, Ashton, Luke and Michael) is the fourth studio album by Australian pop rock band 5 Seconds of Summer, released on 27 March 2020. 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. -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
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Cryptic Rock
Obliterating the box and crossing genres fluidly, the Australian quartet bring R&B and EDM into their sound portfolio, crafting an album that never conforms and is always candid.
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All Music
Calm is the sound of a band whose influences have continued to evolve right along with them and their fans.
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The Line of Best Fit
It’s 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.
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Riff Magazine
It is, indeed, a calm end—to a squall of emotion that 5 Seconds of Summer churn out on their fourth record.
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Iowa State Daily
"CALM" appeals to every taste through the mix of genre and instrumental styles. I usually listen to albums straight through, but shuffle these songs until you find one in your preferred style. I promise you’ll find one.
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The Cultured Nerd
A sharp departure from their pop-punk roots, but far from unexpected, resulting in an utterly unique pop album.
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The Young Folks
CALM on the other hand suffers from underdeveloped themes and riveting originality. Ironically, there’s no tranquility or pulsation-just blandness.
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Redbrick Music
Overall, this album is a real triumph for 5 Seconds of Summer. With its combination of anthemic rock, upbeat pop catchiness and emotional vulnerability, it is a testament to the best parts of their career so far whilst still experimenting with where they could go next. Calm has regained my interest in 5 Seconds of Summer and it is well worth a listen.
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Eren Blogs
With 12 tracks in total, the boys manage to please their fans’ ears. CALM definitely isn’t a disappointing next release after the success of Youngblood.
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The Pillar
This record continues to show how much the members of 5 Seconds of Summer have changed during their time in the spotlight, and proves that they will always be musicians at heart. While we’re all going through a difficult and uncertain time, this album delivers songs and messages that can help us think of better times and to remain “calm.”
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Cryptic Rock
With their luscious harmonies, divine Pop sensibilities, sophisticated new arrangements, and an ability to dissect their lonely hearts openly, it seems like there will be no stopping 5 Seconds of Summer. For all of this, Cryptic Rock gives C A L M
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Daily Bruin
5 Seconds of Summer overcomes repetitive sound with lyrical depth in ‘CALM’.
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The Lancer Feed
“Calm” can be for anyone who enjoys the journey that music takes them on when listening, whether it be a slow and calming song like “Lover of Mine” or an upbeat “Not in the Same Way.” There is something in this album for everyone.
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The Post
Its latest album, CALM, shows only flashes of 5SOS’ mainstream pop capabilities.
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Gigwise
As CALM comes to an end and the final notes of the song peter out, we’re left with a sense of fulfilment, peace and unsurprisingly an overwhelming feeling of calmness.
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Daily Titan
“CALM,” successfully shows how much the band has grown since their days of touring with One Direction. Their style has evolved from pop-punk to an ’80s inspired rock sound that is completely their own. The lyrical depth and stories told are mature enough for fans new and old to enjoy.
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Deadpress
Ending on the hypnotic and tender ‘High’, 5 Seconds Of Summer have created a record that not only delivers well-written pop songs, but also carves out a new soundscape for them. Where most groups try to move away from their original style with mixed results, ‘CALM’ proves that it can be achieved.
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South China Morning Post
'Calm' proves they are a reliable pop group.
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Arts + Culture
Their newly matured sound is exceptionally evident on their latest album, which is an acronym of the bandmates’ names, CALM. The album is full of energy, passion and memories, as there is not a single song that feels repetitive, skip-worthy or out of place.
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Vidette Online
“CALM” has an ever-growing retro vibe throughout the tracklist that brings in angelic harmonies, lower-bass sounds to bring an electric dance beat giving the album a softer punk rock vibe.
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The Sentry
Overall, the album exceeds expectations, particularly in growth of sound and lyrics and marks a significant point of change and hope for the band. CALM reinforces and strengthens the bright future of 5 Seconds of Summer and their music.
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Euphoria
CALM, which is the fourth studio offering from the band, might just be the sound and feel that the band settles into for the foreseeable future, and with the way they nailed it here, it could prove to be exactly where they should stay.
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The Daily Nebraskan
“CALM” is a mature progression in the post-hiatus era of 5 Seconds of Summer. The lyrical depth and meaning reached in the band’s writing prove its members’ capability to grow as artists and people while staying true to their pop-rock genre.
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Whip
CALM brings back the guitar-centric sound that is in 5SOS’ roots, which they seemed to have lost sight of in their previous album, Youngblood. This album also allowed for a great deal of successful experimentation within the realm of synthetic instruments and production.
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Her Campus
5 Seconds of Summer have come a long way since 2014’s bandanas, lip rings, and songs about pizza, and if you thought they proved that with 2018’s Youngblood, CALM is on a whole other level. They’re growing with their fans, and I can’t wait to see what they do next.
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Insight Magazine
They incorporate a perfect mixture of genre fluidity that brings to life an album that never conforms and is always spontaneous. Showing off their pop sensibilities, new arrangements, incredible harmonies and the exploitation of their own hearts, 5 Seconds of Summer continue to flourish and remain unstoppable.
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The Soundboard
CALM doesn’t so much feel like a reinvention as it does a death knell, especially with how blatant so many changes for the worse are, and beyond the odd moment of intrigue, there’s nothing here that can even be remotely gravitated towards.
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The Mycenaean
Despite the obstacles COVID-19 has brought to the release of CALM, 5 Seconds of Summer released an album with powerful melodies and meaningful lyrics. Each song has its own story, which 5SOS has told so brilliantly. CALM is another beautiful musical masterpiece from 5 Seconds of Summer that has shed some light on these dark times.
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Gig Goer
Soaring vocals, addictive basslines, endearing lyrics, and infectious hooks are only a few of the reasons that you should turn the volume to MAX and bounce around your house to 5 Seconds Of Summer’s fourth album, CALM.
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When the Horn Blows
Aside from angelic closing number ‘High’, the album is covered in 10/10 tunes making it a great addition to the band’s already outstanding discography. 5 Seconds of Summer have successfully made the leap to the other side of adulthood. They have grown and matured, and their music has changed with them; this is a band that’s here to stay (not that there was ever any doubt in the matter).
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The Camera Affect
5 Seconds Of Summer have created another fantastic record that not only shows further experimentation within their sound and more of what the band is capable of musically, but also shows them refining and honing in on their signature sound even more throughout twelve really solid tracks.
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Melodic Magazine
Overall, CALM is another great album for 5 Seconds of Summer to add to their collection. The album feels representative as to who they are as people and as a band, which is probably where the album gets its name (CALM stands for Calum, Ashton, Luke, Michael).
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Celeb Mix
It’s bound to make you smile, cry and sing along from start to finish. 5SOS have a way of perfectly describing very real circumstances into their lyrics. You’ll be on an emotional roller-coaster, but in the best way possible!
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Thomas Bleach
‘CALM’ is an album that allows you to get to know 5SOS in a way that they’ve never done before. It’s a cohesive record with heart, soul and experiential layers. It mixes fresh concepts with nostalgic undertones that will have you ready to singalong to every track while also highlighting the maturity they’ve embraced since they first debuted in 2012.
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The Upcoming
Unfortunately, Calm‘s production makes most tracks unmemorable and reminds you that the claims of pre-album interviews should always be taken with a pinch of salt. In this case, a very large pinch. Maybe even a cellar full.
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CHIP Lifestyle
All in all, this was such a good album. This was a great follow up to Youngblood and love that the band is continuing to grow and progress throughout these projects and records.
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The Pop Break
I would definitely recommend giving CALM a listen if you want something new, even if you’ve never heard anything from 5 Seconds of Summer before. You may be surprised.
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Black Boy Bulletin
CALM is great; if Youngblood didn’t make it clear enough, 5SOS are pop music forces.
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