UMR Vinyl & CDs

Review: Early arrivals don cardboard masks of 5 Seconds of Summer, blown up to thrice their usual size. It's as close as many will get to the Aussie lads tonight, with dry ice and a low stage obscuring them from view. This visual absence, coupled with the venue's steamy atmosphere, creates a pop-punk rave vibe - fitting for 5SOS's pivot to arena-ready anthems on their debut. The set spans their evolution from YouTube covers to teen idols. Wildcard moments like the psychedelic 'Voodoo Doll' and acoustic 'Amnesia' punctuate the night, but new material dominates. Opener 'She Looks So Perfect' sets the tone, channelling Blink-182 for a new generation. 5SOS amplify their pop sensibilities: 'Don't Stop' drives a simple riff to emotional heights, while 'Good Girls' repurposes 80s power ballad synths into tear-stained pop-punk.Despite radio-friendly polish, 5SOS's shift to mainstream pop feels genuine. Their vocals transform them into heartthrob crooners on 'Kiss Me Kiss Me'. This pop pivot suits their songcraft, with melancholy no less affecting when paired with power chords and arms-aloft choruses.their yearning songcraft perfectly, the melancholy heart of 5 Seconds of Summer no less affecting when tethered to power chord orthodoxy and following the shortest laser-guided path to the arms-aloft chorus.

Review: The 5 Seconds of Summer (10th Anniversary Edition) is a nostalgic celebration of the band's pop-rock origins, the infectious melodies and energetic rock vibes that marked their rise to fame. Featuring classic hits like 'She Looks So Perfect' and 'Amnesia', the latter showcasing their versatility with its stripped-down acoustic sound, while deeper cuts like 'Voodoo Doll' and 'End Up Here' remind listeners of the band's growth over the years. 'Kiss Me, Kiss Me' stands out with its infectious energy and the live arrangements add an extra layer of excitement to the song's performances. This anniversary edition not only revisits the chart-topping hits but also reminds listeners of the enduring quality of the entire album. This album became the soundtrack of countless lives, particularly during the mid-2010s and this picture disc is a great added touch to the package for fans.