Song Review: Lighter by 5 Seconds of Summer, Galantis and David Guetta
Written by: Mikaila Storrs
After being a band for more than a decade, 5 Seconds of Summer continues to push the envelope and challenge themselves with new sounds, genres, and collaborations. Their most recent venture, the collaboration "Lighter" with Galantis and David Guetta, epitomizes this dedication to musical innovation.
This also marks somewhat of a comeback for Galantis, considering he hasn’t dropped a new album in four years. He mentioned he’d been holding onto this track for two years, waiting for the perfect match in sound, which he finally found through 5SOS.
While 5 Seconds of Summer is often associated with pop-punk from their early days or pop-rock from albums like "Youngblood," their foray into dance music and EDM with "Lighter" demonstrates their adaptability and readiness to defy conventional categorizations. Their goal is always to keep reinventing themselves and surprising their fans with new content while retaining that same 5SOS flair that we know and love them for.
As someone who's been a fan of the band for quite some time, listening to this song evokes a sense of nostalgia for me. While it introduces a new sound for them, incorporating the distinct styles of Galantis and David Guetta, it still retains that classic 5SOS essence with its upbeat and playful lyrics, showing that they haven't lost their sense of fun and don't take themselves too seriously.
I'm also really drawn to the message of this song. Whether it's a subtle reference to a romantic connection or a nod to their fans, similar to what they've done in previous tracks like "Best Friends," I think the concept of having something or someone who makes you feel a little lighter on your darkest days is incredibly powerful. Lines like "I know, I know when I'm hollow, hollow, You take it all away and fill the empty spaces" beautifully convey the significance of having someone or something that can alleviate that heavy, empty feeling, making it feel less daunting and more bearable.
In my opinion, with the incredibly relatable lyrics and the catchy beat of the song, this is sure to be a radio hit, and I can’t wait to see them climb the charts. I'm also really curious about the rest of Galantis's upcoming album, especially with tracks like "Lighter" already making waves.