Ashton Irwin, the drummer from 5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS), just announced his second solo album, “BLOOD ON THE DRUMS,” dropping on July 17. You can pre-order and pre-save it here. He also released the first single and video from the album, “Straight To Your Heart,” an 80s new wave-infused alt-pop anthem. Check out the music video.
Straight To Your Heart is one of 12 tracks Ashton co-wrote and produced with 5SOS collaborator and rock icon John Feldmann (Blink-182, Avril Lavigne, Good Charlotte, Panic! At The Disco). Plus, there are four more tracks he made with his long-time partner Matthew Pauling (Superbloom). The video, shot by Ryan Fleming and co-directed by Ashton, was filmed out in the California desert. Fun fact: Ashton actually got his motorcycle license and learned archery just for the video!
“BLOOD ON THE DRUMS” is coming out in two parts! “The Thorns” (Side 1) drops this Wednesday, June 12, with the first eight tracks, including the lead single Straight To Your Heart. Then, “The Roses” (Side 2), completing the album, will be available on July 17. And get this—all 16 songs on the album will have a video to go with them!
“BLOOD ON THE DRUMS” is Ashton Irwin’s latest album, and he says the title is “a metaphor for how much I’ve given to my music.” Following his 2020 release, “Superbloom,” this new album is a mix of infectious 80s-style anthems, rock bangers, art-pop, and more. While “Superbloom” was all about personal reflection, crafted during the pandemic, “BLOOD ON THE DRUMS” looks outward. It dives into Irwin’s life over the past decade, with songs meant to connect with everyone, blending universal themes with personal stories.
“I was thinking about the people I left behind, the people I miss, the family that I had to leave when I was young. Thinking about the addictions I’ve been through. The way I evolved as a young man who never had a father. Thinking about my personal strength and knowing that generally speaking no one else has my back but me and becoming someone that I have to be for the rest of my life,” he says.
Fans of Ashton’s solo music can see him live for one night only celebrating the release of the album on July 18 at The Belasco in Los Angeles. Tickets are on sale now here.
