Watch 5 Seconds Of Summer’s New, Dark Video For ‘Easier’

5 Seconds Of Summer are back with the new single ‘Easier’ as a preview of their upcoming fourth album, the follow-up to 2018’s Youngblood. The multi-platinum band from Sydney, Australia have taken a deliberately darker tone with the song, which was written by Andrew Watt, Lou Bell and Ryan Tedder. Watch the video, directed by Grant Singer, here:

In an email interview with Rolling Stone, the group say: “There is a darker tone to this record intentionally,” also describing “a growing attention to industrial rhythm within the band.” Inspiration for the new sound has come from such modern and electronic rock pacesetters as Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears and from Nine Inch Nails’ 2004 landmark Closer. ‘Easier’ is, they say, “derivative of the driving drum groove” that’s heard on that record.

5SOS will soon begin touring with Chainsmokers, commencing with a 1 June date in Carson, California preceding their Wembley Stadium show in London on the 8th. They then play in Rosemont, Illinois on 22 June before beginning the North American tour in earnest on 25 September. The itinerary concludes in Vancouver on 6 December.

The band also tell Rolling Stone that they hope ‘Easier’ will be the first in a series of one-off releases before the start of the September dates. “Before the end of this year we would love to have at least half the record released through singles,” they say.

The Australian quartet of Michael Clifford, Calum Hood, Luke Hemmings and Ashton Irwin reveal that they’ve been listening to the music of such current names as Gesaffelstein, HEALTH, St. Vincent, Disclosure and Bob Moses. “If you’re a fan of our group we strongly suggest you listen to a couple of tracks from these artists and you’ll begin to understand what direction we’re headed for album four,” they say.

Format: UK English