A follow-up to his 2021 solo debut, 2024's
Boy
EP finds longtime
5 Seconds of Summer
vocalist
Luke Hemmings
further honing his mature alt-pop sound. One of the main creative forces in
5SOS
,
Hemmings
helped push the transformation of that group from a punky boy band to the purveyors of sophisticated and stylish pop. It's a trajectory he has further explored on 2021's
When Facing the Things We Turn Away From
. As with that album,
once again features production and songwriting collaborations with
Sammy Witte
, best known for his work on
Harry Styles
'
Harry's House
. Also contributing is
Elie Rizk
(
Bella Poarch
Remi Wolf
). Together,
and his cohorts craft a handful of deeply heartfelt, somewhat melancholy anthems including "I'm Still Your Boy," "Benny," and "Close My Eyes," that are as emotionally resonant as they are catchy. ~ Matt Collar