Recommended tracks: “Wicked Habit”, “Glory Days” “California Holds Her Breath”
Similar Artists: Luke Hemmings, 5 Seconds of Summer, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson
Ashton Irwin, best known as the iconic drummer of 5 Seconds of Summer, has just released his second solo album. Ashton’s sophomore solo album takes on a more pop rock sound compared to its predecessor, Superbloom, likely due to his collaboration with iconic pop-punk producer John Feldmann. The duo’s previous work together on albums like 5 Seconds of Summer’s Sounds Good Feels Good is evident, with heavy drums, guitars, and a rock edge permeating Ashton’s solo tracks. Additionally, it’s fascinating to hear Ashton step away from the drums for a few acoustic ballads, focusing on his guitar playing in a professionally published setting for the first time.
In June, Ashton released the first half of the Blood on The Drums album, titled “The Thorns,” featuring standout tracks like “I See The Angels,” “Indestructible,” and “BLOOD ON THE DRUMS.” The first half is incredible and seemingly hard to top, but he certainly outdid himself with the second half. In this new release, Ashton delves into more personal lyrics, exploring the complexities of love, mental health, and reflecting on the transition from teenage fame to adulthood.
In a press release, Ashton explains his decision to release the album in two parts saying “I love to make full length albums but also the idea of the listener digesting it in two parts initially, forming their own interpretation. It’s important to me as a fan of music to have a comprehensive body of work to fully dig into the artist’s perspective.” Ashton says. This was a brilliant decision, given that listeners today often have short attention spans. It also helps sustain the hype around the album for a much longer period.
Accompanying the second half of the album is a brand new music video for “The Canyon” which serves as the transition from the first half of the album. Ashton calls the song “the cornerstone of the record conceptually and for me as a human being.” Lyrically the song addresses the epidemic of male suicide and the state of the world.
The track feels like two songs in one. It starts out with a folky vibe, builds into heavier drums, and then relaxes towards the end, perhaps symbolizing a resolution to the hardships he’s faced in his career. The song concludes with the line “now I’m coming out of the dark,” signifying that he’s emerged from the hardest and darkest parts of his life and is finally experiencing a breath of fresh air.
A highlight of the album is “Wicked Habit,” where Ashton compares a partner to a drug addiction. This theme isn’t new for Ashton, as 5SOS have explored it in their songs over the years in songs such as “Thin White Lies” and “Vapor”. However, this track keeps you guessing whether he’s referring to a person or a substance. I can also hear influences from Fall Out Boy and Panic! At The Disco in this song, which I love. It’s one of my favorite tracks on the second half of “Blood on The Drums.”
“Marry You” is a classic love song with a rock twist. “Right before we met, I was like the living dead / you brought me back to life.” It’s beautiful to hear that someone has brought him out of such a dark place. This song offers hope to listeners, showing that even if love seems hopeless or life feels miserable, there is light at the end of the tunnel. There also seems to be a subtle Latin twist in the background, which seems to be a nod to Ashton’s girlfriend.
“Glory Days” evokes the feelings of a coming-of-age romantic comedy from the 2000s. The song perfectly captures the essence of Ashton’s experiences at 21. As a dedicated longtime fan of 5SOS who has followed their career closely, the lyrics “living fast, never crash on adrenaline / like a flash in the blast it was deafening / the world was ours to take, our hearts will never break” resonate deeply with me, painting a vivid picture of those exhilarating glory days.
While the song may not only reflect his early 5SOS career, it certainly brings me back to that time. It reminds me of their rapid rise to fame in the early 2010s and the whirlwind of their career. For me, “Glory Days” encapsulates the rush of being a teenager, following 5SOS to shows, camping out with friends made through the band, and experiencing the phenomenon that was 5 Seconds of Summer in the early days.
“Wild Things” is another heartfelt love song where Ashton pledges to stand by his partner through every challenge and difficulty. He expresses a willingness to embrace all parts of them, even those they may want to conceal. This theme of unconditional love is something that isn’t sung about enough — that loving someone means accepting their imperfections and enduring life’s hardships together.
One lyric that resonates deeply is “I know your thorns protect your roses.” It not only connects to the dual sides of the album but also offers a poignant metaphor: when you break down someone’s defenses, you discover their inner beauty.
Closing out the album is “Endless Wave,” which carries a haunting vibe reminiscent of “Perfect Lie” from Ashton’s first album, Superbloom. I appreciate the slow, melodic tone that concludes the album, blending elements of folk with hints of Pink Floyd. It’s truly remarkable to hear Ashton showcase his guitar skills after being known as an exceptional drummer for the past decade. He says “That song is about endless change, endless resistance, endless struggle and the sneaking suspicion there’s always another problem just round the bend,” Irwin says. “It’s me attempting to just accept what was happening and what was going to happen. It’s a good one lyrically for where I’m at.”
Listen to the album here.
Keep up with Ashton on social media: Youtube // Instagram // Website // X
