Calum Hood embraces vulnerability with debut album “ORDER chaos ORDER”
Calum Hood shares vulnerable melancholy pop with his debut album ORDER Chaos ORDER. Hood, who is known for his role as bassist for pop rock band 5 Seconds of Summer has officially gone solo. All four members of the band have now done solo projects while successfully keeping the band alive and well. ORDER Chaos ORDER welcomes all the feelings and experiences Hood couldn’t fit into the band’s music or was just too personal. The album offers the kind of music that you immerse yourself in and stare at the ceiling trying to process your feelings.
“Don’t Forget You Love Me” was the first taste of the new music and it’s the first track on the album, making it the perfect introduction. Hood told Apple Music that the title is something he repeats to himself , “It was really important to go with my most truthful song first.” The instrumental swells at the chorus and breaks into vocals that are begging repeatedly, "Don't forget you love me”.
Moving on a few tracks later, “All My Affection” is an emotional ballad about giving your all to someone and having the feeling reciprocated. The soft instrumental pairs so sweetly with emotionally driven vocals that just hit you straight in the heart. Hood sings in the chorus, “So, take everything left of me / Anything that you might want / all my affection is all I have to lose.”
“Dark Circles” brings in the fantasy world in which Hood’s band doesn’t exist. He told Apple Music , “It’s my love letter to the band where, if the band wasn’t to exist, a large part of myself would be wayward, So this is my love song to the boys.”
Loss, sorrow, but also turning over the leaf and beginning a new path are all meanings of the tarot card Three of Swords, which also happens to be the closing track of the album. The song reflects on growing up and acceptance and focusing on the future. The track ends the album almost open ended, it’s not quite closing but rather a path to a new start.
ORDER Chaos ORDER is Hood’s first solo project so keeping it quiet was difficult. He took to Instagram on the release day to share some words, “I hope this album lives with you on long drives at night when you’re trying to clear your head. Or fills a space that brings you closer to yourself or a loved one. Or something else that sounds cool. Do whatever you like. It’s yours now.” ORDER Chaos ORDER is now available on all streaming platforms. Hood has done a few small intimate shows to celebrate the release however there hasn’t been any indicators of a tour but keep an eye out just in case!
Photos by Sarah Eiseman
