Album Review: 5 Seconds of Summer’s “She Looks So Perfect” EP

Keely Chisholm ‘17 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer

5 Seconds of Summer have been called “the Australian One Direction” due to their good looks and boyish attitudes, but She Looks So Perfect establishes 5SOS’s sound—and it’s not pure pop. Formed in Sydney, Australia in 2011, the pop-punk/pop-rock group has released two EPs already, but She Looks So Perfect is the first released in America.

The title track, “She Looks So Perfect,” lends the four-song EP a strong start. It opens with a heavy bass line that grounds the song throughout. It addresses topics like young love, encompassing the typical run-away-with-me theme, but phrases like “I made a mixtape straight out of ‘94” and “your lipstick stain is a work of art” make for lyrical hooks that stick in your head. (Fun fact: it’s gained the nickname “the American Apparel underwear song” for its line “you look so perfect standing there in my American Apparel underwear.”)

Next is “Heartache on the Big Screen.” The band’s All Time Low influence is evident from the opening instrumental hook. The comparison of a romance movie gone sour to heartbreak may feel a bit trite at first, but as the song progresses, the metaphor deepens and keeps the song from being too cheesy.

“The Only Reason” returns to the sweeter lyrics. It has a slightly mellower sound than its predecessors, beginning lower and building into a chorus that’s less belt-y but catchy nonetheless. It’s the sort of song that lends itself well to an acoustic version.

Capping off the EP is a cover of The Romantics’ “What I Like About You.” Of course, it’s not the original, but it’s a good choice for a band like 5SOS. The vocals are fresh and modern, and make the song accessible to an audience that may not know the original.

5SOS are scheduled for sold out headlining tours in both Australia and the United States before joining One Direction over the summer. A debut album is currently in the works. If She Looks So Perfect is any indication, 5SOS are off to a smashing start, and it looks like the only place to go from here is up.