Luke Hemmings, best known as the lead singer of the pop/rock band 5 Seconds of Summer, is resurrecting his solo career for the first time since 2021 with his brand new EP, "boy".
TRACKLIST
I'm Still Your Boy
Shakes
Benny
Close My Eyes
Garden Life
Close Enough To Feel You
Promises
Australian artist Luke Hemmings has been in the game since 2011 when he started a YouTube channel with his band mates in 5 Seconds of Summer when he was only fifteen. With his iconic signature eyeliner and sparkly eyeshadow, he not only is a lead singer but a guitarist and songwriter as well. 5SOS’ career kicked off when they were discovered by One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson, in which they began opening for on their “Take Me Home” tour in 2013. In 2021, he started releasing solo music which included his solo debut album, “When Facing The Things We Turn Away From”. Luke continues to make music with 5SOS, but has found a sound that he is able to call his own as well. Let’s explore that sound right now.
I'm Still Your Boy
Starting with track one, we have "I'm Still Your Boy" which softly introduces us to the project with a beautiful acoustic guitar and gentle vocals from Luke. The song continues to dynamically shift throughout the song, but the chorus is the shining star. The repeated lyrics and long drawn out notes create a cathartic experience. It almost has a classic feel to it, mixed with whimsical sounds like you're living in a fantasy world. Lyrically, what I took away from this song is even though you're not with someone anymore, you still feel like you'll always be theirs. It's a really stunning track and quite an experience, unlike anything anyone else is creating today.
Shakes
Next we have the lead single released in anticipation for this EP, "Shakes". Continuing the dreamy vibe that seems to be a theme in this project, "Shakes" has a vibey groove that you can't help but move along to. Featuring stunning falsetto vocals in the super catchy hook, "Shakes" is about wanting to be with someone so badly that you can't shake the feelings you have for them, no matter how hard you try. All you want is to be with them, and for them to feel the same way. There's a moment after each hook, where Luke sings "shake" in unison with this beeping synth, and it feels like a heartbeat. It's one my favorite moments in this song.
Benny
Trucking on with those sad boy themes, we have "Benny". Now, I'm not exactly sure who Benny is in this particular song, but it seems to be about giving your all to someone who never gave you anything back. I've used this word a lot so far, but a total vibe is the best way to describe each track I've heard so far. "Benny" in particular has this nostalgic feel to it, almost like an 80's glam rock. You can hear synths echoing in the background and electric guitar that slides and glides across the chord progression.
Close My Eyes
"Close My Eyes" is the most upbeat song on this EP; and although it's also the shortest, it is one of my personal favorites for this project. I would say out of all the songs, this one is the most modern pop. I really enjoy the energy behind the production and rhythm in this song. It's a juxtaposition, where the music sounds happy but if you pay attention to the lyrics, it's actually a sad song. "Close My Eyes" seems to be about struggles with mental health, and not being able to close your eyes or else you'll start to see all the bad things that have happened to you in your life. When you go through a lot of trauma, it can be hard to let go. I think this is an amazing song for others who may struggle with these same types of feelings; it makes you feel not alone.
Garden Life
Out of all the songs on this EP, I feel like "Garden Life" is the most different from the rest. It's still vibey, but it sounds a bit unconventional and very mellow in it's groove. It's not an "easy listening" song and it takes a few listens to really take in the lyrics and the soundscape. The best way I could interpret this song is very dark and deep. I think it might be about being in love with someone who has depression, and you're doing everything to be something good in their life to help them feel better; however, it's hurting you to see them this way.
Close Enough To Feel You
Continuing those themes of sadness, "Close Enough To Feel You" is about being down in the dumps about an unrequited love. They're still in your life, but it hurts to just be around them knowing that you can't have them. This song has dynamic shifts that ultimately create a highly emotional build. This song has a very rock-forward style and a classic groove to give you a sense of nostalgia.
Promises
Closing out the EP, we have the longest song "Promises". With a stunning chord progression, heavy reverb and a full, raw instrumentation, this song has a classic and dreamy soundscape that'll take you to another planet. It's such a beautifully written song, both lyrically and sonically. It seems to be about having trouble letting go of someone you love but lost. It didn't end very well, and the fights were just too much; but all you can still think about is being with them.
This entire EP is sonically a whole vibe. It's definitely sad boy themed, with lots of mentions of heartbreak and depression. The best way to describe the style is a mixture of dream pop and bedroom pop, with soft rock and some moments of 80s synth. There’s even some psychedelic tones in there. The ethereal soundscapes throughout make you feel like you’re floating on a cloud. It’s the perfect thing to listen to for putting headphones on, closing your eyes and escaping the world for a little while. It’s not anything we’ve really heard from Luke Hemmings before, and I love that he’s able to have this side of him away from 5SOS. His vocals on this EP are softer, more whispery and light than his usual tone. The style is less lyric driven, and more about the overall sound as a whole. It’s truly a detailed, cathartic listening experience that I recommend giving a chance to anyone who hasn’t heard “Boy” yet.
Written By Kaitlyn Nicole
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