Complete Mess Explained

Complete Mess
Cover:Complete Mess 5SOS.jpg
Type:single
Artist:5 Seconds of Summer
Album:5SOS5
Genre:
Length:3:26
Label:BMG
Producer:Michael Clifford
Prev Title:2011
Prev Year:2021
Next Title:Take My Hand
Next Year:2022

"Complete Mess" (stylised in all caps) is a song by Australian pop rock band 5 Seconds of Summer. It was released on 2 March 2022 independently in partnership with BMG, as the lead single from their fifth studio album 5SOS5.[2] [3] The song was written by the band and produced by guitarist Michael Clifford.[4]

At the APRA Music Awards of 2023, the song was shortlisted for Song of the Year.[5]

Background

The band teased "Complete Mess" in February 2022 sharing snippets of the song on TikTok and Twitter.[6] Upon the release of "Complete Mess", the group also released a statement about the song:

The song was recorded at Rancho V in Joshua Tree, Clifford's own home studio and Dragonfly Creek in Malibu. The title of the song refers to a fan-favorite t-shirt that lead singer Luke Hemmings used to wear.[7]

MTV describes the song as a "2000s alt-rock with a more mature but quite nostalgic sound," while Rolling Stone calls the song, "an expansive vibe with contemporary pop sensibilities."[8] [2]

Reception

"Complete Mess" was received with positive reviews, most praising the band for their growth and maturity of their sound. Soundigest.com calls it, "a song that's sheer emotional power sends chills down your body."[9] Musictalkers.com praises the instrumental work of the song stating, "the utilization of authentic instruments layered with electronic, booming pop sounds is the contrast that perfectly mirrors 5 Seconds of Summer’s original vision when they first entered the music scene."[10]

Music video

The music video for "Complete Mess" was released on 2 March 2022 and was directed by Lauren Dunn.[11] The video is set in a desert and the quartet can be seen lying on their backs on the sand and walking in separate ways throughout the video. Towards the end, they join together and walk towards a blue orb of light, which represents "the place where all the songs, all the love, and everything comes from in this life," according to drummer Ashton Irwin. He also adds, "I guess the metaphorical sense is that the four of us are in this infinite place of creation, and the dessert represents that."[8]

Personnel

Credits for "Complete Mess" adapted from AllMusic.[12]

Musicians

Production

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia Independent Singles (AIR)[13] 2
Brazil (Pop Internacional)[14] 5
Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard)[15] 14
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[16] 12

Year-end charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Position
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[17] 70
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[18] 48

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
Various2 March 2022BMG[19]
Italy4 March 2022Contemporary hit radio[20]
United States8 March 2022[21]

Notes and References

  1. 10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through the Week: 5 Seconds of Summer, Weeekly, Sir Sly & More. Billboard. 7 March 2022. 6 October 2022.
  2. 5 Seconds of Summer Return with New Single, 'Complete Mess'. Rolling Stone. Tyler Jenke. 3 March 2022. 25 September 2022.
  3. Web site: 5 Seconds of Summer unleash new single 'Complete Mess'. 2 March 2022. 25 September 2022.
  4. Web site: 5 Seconds of Summer have dropped their new single 'Complete Mess' – watch. Stephen Ackroyd. 2 March 2022. 24 September 2022.
  5. Web site: These 20 songs are up for 2023 APRA Song Of The Year . . 25 January 2023 . 28 January 2023 .
  6. Web site: 5 Seconds of Summer are teasing more of their new track, 'Complete Mess'. Stephen Ackroyd. 28 February 2022. 25 September 2022.
  7. Web site: 5 Seconds Of Summer Return With New Song 'Complete Mess'. KiisFM. Taylor Fields. 2 March 2022. 25 September 2022.
  8. Web site: How 5 Seconds Of Summer Created A 'Complete Mess' On '5SOS5'. https://web.archive.org/web/20220826170745/https://www.mtv.com/news/4xe5f6/5-seconds-of-summer-the-method-interview. dead. August 26, 2022. MTV. Athena Serrano. 26 August 2022. 25 September 2022.
  9. Web site: 5 Seconds of Summer Drops "Complete Mess" Their Dreamy Single From Their Upcoming 5th Studio Album. Kelsey Sullivan. 9 March 2022. 25 September 2022.
  10. Web site: Review: Complete Mess − 5 Seconds of Summer. Nicholas Gaudet. 13 April 2022. 25 September 2022.
  11. 5 Seconds of Summer Are a 'Complete Mess' on Anthemic Single: Watch. Billboard. Glenn Rowley. 2 March 2022. 25 September 2022.
  12. Web site: Complete Mess - 5SOS Credits. AllMusic. 24 September 2022.
  13. Web site: Singles Chart (Independent Labels) 11 April 2022. Australian Independent Record Labels Association. 11 April 2022. 24 September 2022.
  14. Web site: Top 10 Pop Internacional: 23/05/2022 - 13 27/05/2022. 3 May 2022. Crowley Broadcast Analysis. pt-BR. https://web.archive.org/web/20220502031217/https://charts.crowley.com.br/tpopinternacional.html. 2 May 2022.
  15. 5 Seconds of Summer Chart History (Mexico Ingles Airplay). Billboard. 24 September 2022.
  16. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 14 March 2022. 24 September 2022.
  17. Web site: Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2022. Dutch Top 40. nl. 3 January 2023.
  18. Adult Pop Airplay Songs – Year-End 2022. Billboard. 2 December 2022.
  19. Web site: Complete Mess - Single by 5 Seconds of Summer. Apple Music. 24 September 2022.
  20. Web site: 5 Seconds of Summer - Radio Date. EarOne. 4 March 2022. 24 September 2022.
  21. Web site: Mainstream Pop Future Releases. All Access. https://web.archive.org/web/20220228183545/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases. 28 February 2022. 24 September 2022.

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