‘ORDER chaos ORDER’ - A Deeply Personal, Confessional and Unfiltered Debut Solo Album from Calum Hood

Calum Hood, member of globally successful band 5 Seconds of Summer has begun his solo career with debut album, ‘ORDER chaos ORDER’. This highly anticipated album is a work of vulnerability and reflection; both soft and contemplative. It’s always interesting to see where a solo project will take a musician and ‘ORDER chaos ORDER’ has clearly taken Hood on a journey involving the listener through vibrant sonic landscapes and personal, thoughtful storytelling. You can expect these ten tracks to be a place of exploration with a pop and indie feel - a soundtrack to your inner thoughts and feelings.

Previously released, opening track ‘Don’t Forget You Love Me’ gives the first taste of what to expect from Hood as a solo artist both lyrically and sonically. Wasting no time with lyrics that cut right through you ‘I’m sitting there wondering if I want to be alive’. A synth heavy, indie pop track that’s driven through an upbeat tempo and contrasting theme of love and loss. A low range and a chorus that you’re joining in with by the end.

The second single from the album ‘Call Me When You Know Better’ continues to highlight his deep vocals and a notable fast high-hat that keeps the energy continuous .This one morphs into indie pop with more electronic elements that add a brighter tone to a tale of regret and a heartfelt apology.

‘ORDER chaos ORDER’ is accompanied with striking visuals of a moody album cover that perfectly captures the deep tones in the tracks and music videos that drive the emotive elements further.

It’s clear Hood can pull off a range of vocal tones and ‘Sweetdreams’ is no different. The track is instantly catchy, the title matching the dreamy, higher vocals and softer production for a feeling of bedroom pop. An acoustic guitar is complimenting and an ending of a stronger drum roll only adds to the dynamic elements throughout.

‘I Wanted To Stay’ is a favourite of mine - a melancholic anthem of life passing you by and a touching depiction of not wanting to be alone with a groovy bassline and another example of Hood's fearless display of his feelings.

‘Sunsetter’ sees an inclusion of warmer tones - a nod to the title. This track carries a sense of longing that you get lost in and the vision of hearing this track live only amplifies its impressive instrumentals.

‘Endless Ways’ and ‘Streetwise’ continue with soulful vocals. ‘Endless Ways’ opens with a distant sound of voices giving the feeling of hearing life from underwater and ‘Streetwise’ features memorable, melodic guitar.

The album ends with ‘Three Of Swords’ another instant favourite of mine. This final track gives a last glimpse into Hood’s talent and forceful honesty, capturing the emotional span of the album into four and a half minutes. A drawn out tempo and spoken lyrics feel as though you are fully transported into the mind of Hood, almost intrusive, moving and an ending that stays with you even after you have finished the album.

‘ORDER chaos ORDER’ is an accumulation of layered, introspective tracks that come together cohesively for an album packed full of emotion that catches you off guard, pulling you in, and a vulnerability that showcases Hood’s raw talent. This album expertly brings you through a journey of pain and resilience allowing you to feel the emotions throughout each track. Just when you think the album can’t take you deeper, it does. Hood’s heartfelt renditions with his impressive vocals are a standout. It’s easy to see how this album has allowed for Hood to explore more personal topics lyrically and his own unique sound defining him as a solo artist. Although this is a debut album it showcases Hood as a developed solo artist instantly, deeply personal, confessional and unfiltered.

Make sure to check out ‘ORDER chaos ORDER’.