For the first time in over a decade, 5 Seconds of Summer have completely taken control of their destiny. With lead single, “Complete Mess,” the acclaimed Australian pop-rock group embarks on a new phase of their career, focusing on the magic that happens when the four band members come together as one. The origin of the single, as well as the forthcoming album, was almost accidental. In November of 2020, the four band members drove out to Joshua Tree without any real preconceived notions. The idea was to spend time together and see if anything creative came of it. Those ten days in the desert ended up being far more fruitful than anyone could have imagined. One of the first songs to emerge during the writing trip was “Complete Mess,” the first 5 Seconds of Summer song to be entirely written and produced by the band. The single, which aptly balances an expansive, epic vibe with a contemporary pop sensibility, felt like the starting point for the album. “Complete Mess” opens a new chapter for 5 Seconds of Summer, revealing the importance of creating in an instinctual way without external input. For the band, the single represents a moment of authentic growth and teases what’s to come on their next album.