With the title paying homage to his journey when making the album, “Order CHAOS Order” is the debut solo album of 5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) bassist, Calum Hood, released on June 13, 2025.
If you’re chronically online, you may have heard the song “She Looks So Perfect” by the Australian band 5SOS, just to bring a sense of familiarity. Order CHAOS Order is about truth and vulnerability as Hood explores a side of not only himself as an artist outside of 5SOS, but as a person outside of the limelight.
Mixing genres such as pop, alternative, new wave, and 80’s electric sounds, Hood tells his story through raw and personal lyrics, along with impactful instrumentation that ties perfectly with each emotion attached to each track.
The first two tracks on the album were released as singles in promotion for the astonishing drop.
The first track, “Don’t Forget You Love Me,” takes you into what I can only describe as a state of sorrow in slow motion. In the song, he reflects on his wrongs in a past relationship and self observation. Hood utilizes soft beats from the drums, the tempo of the keyboard, and additional sounds from his signature bass.
This song opened up the world that is Order CHAOS Order. He sings, “12am on Taco Tuesday / I’m crying outside my eyes / And I’m sitting there wondering / If I want to be alive (0:06 – 0:17).” From the first listen I was already intrigued by the sensitive emotion Hood portrays in the song.
The first track on the album already touches on a vulnerable topic for many, with themes of suicide, angst, and self doubt. This is something I haven’t seen from a lot of artists, which is what makes Hood’s debut album stand out to me. He gets straight to the point, not holding back on how life made him feel.
The second track, “Call Me When You Know Better,” touches on a more upbeat sound, leaning more towards the pop-electric genre. I won’t lie, the beat of the song makes me want to dance a little, but it feels like having a smile on my face out of frustration.
Lyrics are always important to me, and these two songs convey the tough conversations you have to have with a person you love. With the lyrics, “With nothing but your t-shirt / A modern touch / to dry my fears (1:51 -1:57),” he yet again exposes these raw emotions.
These two singles set the mood for the whole album. They made me think of early morning rain and the city streets at night being lit by warm street lights. They also made me think about my tough experiences with loved ones and my own personal struggles.
The heaviest song of them all has to be “I Wanted to Stay,” a song dedicated to Hood’s late dog, Duke. The songwriter looks back on the sweet moments with Duke and the unconditional love he has for his companion. As a pet owner and animal lover, it really resonated with me.
Hood’s change in vocal pitch throughout the song made the impact stronger. Especially when he says “I want you to stay / The night keeps swallowing another day / Please don’t go (3:04 – 3:09).” The vocal overlay, paired with the different cymbals and drums makes the song feel like the definition of reminiscing.
This song left me with a heavy but airy feeling, and I had a lingering emotion of reminiscing and weighted thoughts.
Another song I resonated with was “Endless Ways,” a song about learning more about yourself from another person. This lighthearted love song reflects the impact a person can have on you.
I understand we are all busy and sometimes don’t have time to sit down and listen to a record in full. If you don’t listen to the whole album, at least listen to these two songs: “All My Affection” and “Sunsetter.”
Inspired by the vocals of artist Sufjan Stevens and Elliott Smith, “All My Affection” is a powerful song, with electrifying sparks from Hood’s yearning and gratitude for love as he plays the bass.
The lyrics “Wave me in from off the street / Shelter me under your love / All I can do / To stay close to you (1:24 – 1:37),” paired with the strong heavy notes from the bass, really emphasize the pleading and power of love and emotion.
Unconditional love is a beautiful and powerful feeling, and this song portrays it perfectly. When interviewed by Apple Music, Hood said the song was about “giving yourself to something or someone and having that being reciprocated and how that’s one of life’s greatest feelings.”
To read the full track-by-track interview, click on “Apple Music” then hit “More” in the description.
The sound of “Sunsetter” is ethereal. Listening to this song pushes my worries aside and itches my brain. The euphoric sounds sent a wave of calmness and frisson over me.
As the song builds, the lyrics do as well. “I’ll steer this heavy ride / Just keep this dream alive / And don’t let it die / You and I forever (0:45 – 0:55)” took me to a grassy warm field in the spring.
The live versions are even better and can be found on Calum Hood’s and Mahogany Sessions’ YouTube channels.
This album has made its way up to one of my favorites. Order CHAOS Order is a poetic, raw and ambitious album. It mixes themes of love, self-reflection, and grief. It combines meaningful and vulnerable lyrics with strong instrumental backup.
For any lovers of indie-pop music, I highly recommend you take a listen at Order CHAOS Order. If you don’t like that kind of music, listen anyway, for you might be pleasantly surprised.
To contact this writer, email Muse Newspaper at musebsa@bsfa.org.
Featured illustration by Lucas Royce for The Muse.
