Your favourite boyband 5Sos is “NOt OK”
Are you OK?
5SOS just dropped their new single “NOT OK,” featuring the most punk rock they’ve ever gone. With strong production, gritty guitars, and an energy that doesn’t let up, this track is proof that the band have completely blown past the “boyband” label once and for all.
5SOS on the cover of their new single
Right from the start, “NOT OK” feels wild—almost Gorillaz-coded with its layers of sound, warped vocals, and chaotic-but-clean mix. It’s experimental in a way that feels fresh for them, but also so true to who they’ve always wanted to be. Honestly, it’s like they finally made the punk rock song they’ve been dreaming of since the beginning. And the best part? It doesn’t feel like an experiment—it feels like a natural evolution.
What makes the track stand out even more is how it carries pieces of all their solo projects. Luke’s moody alt-pop, Ashton’s percussion-heavy inventiveness, Michael’s sharp production ear, and Calum’s grounding basslines all show up here. It’s like the band bottled up all the best parts of themselves, smashed them together, and somehow it worked. It’s the perfect Frankenstein track that only 5SOS could pull off.
This is my personal 90 in a 30 moment. The song goes so hard, it feels reckless in the best way possible—you know it’s chaos, but you’re not about to hit the brakes.
(Please actually drive the speed limit—Not On Stage and 5SOS take no responsibility for speeding tickets.)
And then there’s the cheeky marketing. Their cryptic rollout, teasing that they were “back,” had the internet spiralling like they’d disappeared for years. The truth? 5SOS never really left. They’ve been here the whole time, steadily putting out some of their strongest work, but that stunt got people talking again. Suddenly, everyone was buzzing like it was 2014 all over again—but with the reminder that this isn’t the same band you grew up with.
Just think about it: from “She Looks So Perfect” to “NOT OK,” the growth is unreal. What started as bright, hook-filled pop punk has morphed into something darker, heavier, and more experimental—yet still true to the core energy that made fans fall in love with them in the first place. It’s a full-circle moment that shows just how far they’ve come, without losing the spark that put them on the map.
Also, let’s give them credit: half the band are dads now, and the music still goes this hard. If anything, it feels like fatherhood added fuel to the fire instead of slowing them down. They’ve proven they can grow up, live full lives, and still make music that shakes the walls.
Which brings us to the bigger picture: their upcoming album, “Everyone’s a Star.” If “NOT OK” is the curtain-raiser, then this new era is about to be chaotic, loud, and unapologetically punk. It’s the kind of record that feels like a celebration of who 5SOS are now—artists who’ve outlived every label, exceeded every expectation, and are still hungry to push themselves further.
So, are you OK? Because 5SOS are clearly not—and we’re all better off for it.
