Written by Anne-Elise Tidwell
In mid-2014, during the chaotic release of their debut album and second run with One Direction, 5 Seconds of Summer began to cultivate their signature style and created what would become a generational staple. Their sophomore record, “Sounds Good Feels Good,” was a cultural reset for a those who exclusively wore black skinny jeans and band T-shirts and spent hours perfecting Tumblr profiles or making soft-grunge PicsArt collage edits.
Despite winning the New Music Express “Worst Band Award” earlier that year, the Australian four-piece made history with this record, becoming the first band to have their first two full-length studio albums top the Billboard 200 chart. The record was, and still remains, a staple in the 2010s pop-punk revival scene.
Now, a decade later, “Sounds Good Feels Good” is a vault for some of 5SOS’s most iconic tracks, including the Billboard charting single, “She’s Kinda Hot,” the shining diamond in their discography, “Outerspace / Carry On” as well as a personal favorite, “The Girl Who Cried Wolf.”
The album’s success lies not just in its chart performance but also its cultural significance. It became a time capsule, now seen as a symbol of the digital scene at the time, along with other records like “Badlands” by Halsey, or “Death of a Bachelor” by Panic! At The Disco. Its rebellious attitude and angsty sound resonated with the overall alternative scene around the mid-2010s.
The record was a coming-of-age anthem for Gen Zers, who were starting to feel the uneasy growing pains in-between adolescence and adulthood. The 5SOS band members were also caught in this liminal space–– the drummer, Ashton Irwin, the oldest of the four, was only 22 at the time.
The record was loud and political, told by people who didn’t fit the industry’s standard mold. It did not try to cater to trends or polish its rough edges, from the spelling error on the back of physical copies to their first and infamous controversial editorial piece published “Rolling Stone.”
The band cultivated heavier conversations surrounding the realities of young adulthood, including mental health struggles and financial insecurities that would come to define the era. Their authenticity created a sincere connection with a young, dedicated fanbase who saw their own hopes and struggles reflected in the music, especially on tracks like “Jet Black Heart” –– a song that has gotten to shine on every 5SOS tour since its release.
The then-19-year-old Luke Hemmings said that the band wrote exactly what they were feeling on the album.
“We wanted to make a difference and sing about things that make [listeners] feel good and maybe understand a part of themselves a little better,” said drummer Ashton Irwin during the record’s promotional tour. “We want to be a part of their youth, we want to be more than a band people just listen to.”
Following the release of “Sounds Good Feels Good,” 5SOS embarked on their iconic Sounds Live Feels Live arena tour, which sold nearly 800,000 tickets across over 100 shows.
The band and fans’ enduring appreciation for this record is evident, as they continue to incorporate tracks from the record into their live performances, with five songs featured on their last tour’s setlist.
The years following “Sounds Good Feels Good” have exemplified the group’s artistic curiosity, experimenting with their sound and embracing a more alternative-pop feel in projects like “Youngblood” and “5SOS5.”
Now, 5SOS is officially beginning their next era with the highly anticipated album, “EVERYONE’S A STAR!,” set to drop on Nov. 14. The record goes back to their rock-inspired roots, shown with their spunky lead single, “NOT OK.”
The accompanying “EVERYONE’S A STAR!” world tour is already shaping to be their best yet, with a performance scheduled at the Walmart Amp August 2026. This is the first tour in which the band said they were heavily involved in both the development and the intricate set design, signaling a highly personal and “unexpected” return to the stage.