Easier (5 Seconds of Summer song)


"Easier" is a song by Australian pop rock band 5 Seconds of Summer. The song was released on 23 May 2019 through Interscope Records, as the lead single from their fourth studio album Calm. It is their first release on Interscope. Billboard magazine included the song on their 100 Best Songs of 2019 list at number 79.
Besides the original version, the band has also released an alternate version and two remixes of the song; on 5 July 2019, a version called "Easier – Live from the Vault" was released on YouTube with an accompanying music video. It was later made available on streaming services and for digital download as well. On 12 July 2019, a remix by Seeb was released, and on 13 August 2019, a remix with Charlie Puth was released.

Promotion

5 Seconds of Summer posted clips on social media leading up to the announcement, posting teasers from the song's upcoming music video along with its name and release date.

Composition

Rolling Stone described the song as "dark" and noted the inspiration from "synth-heavy groups of the Eighties and Nineties like Depeche Mode and Tears for Fears and, more specifically, Nine Inch Nails' "Closer". Billboard noted that "the relatably heart-rending sentiment is elevated by lead singer Luke Hemmings' impassioned vocals, from the murmuring verses to the falsetto on the chorus".

Music video

The music video was released the same day as the single, 23 May 2019. It was directed by Grant Singer. In the video, "Hemmings, wearing a leather ensemble and glitter eyeshadow, sings chained by the wrists to the roof of a blue-lit cave while guitarist Michael Clifford, bassist Calum Hood and drummer Ashton Irwin rock out in front of the candle-studded backdrop In addition to the cave setting, the video also features a striking seductress and haunting scenes of the bandmates submerged in on orange-lit pool and individually strolling down a long hallway in which their headshots are set ablaze."
The blue lighting prominent throughout the video follows the aesthetic of the single's artwork. 4 symbols, representing each member, which were used in the teasers for the song, were also featured in the video as tattoos along the female dancer's spine as well as on a burning poster by the end.
As of May 2020, the video has over 47 million views.

Track listing

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Awards

Release history

Charlie Puth remix

A remix version with American singer Charlie Puth was released on 13 August 2019.

Track listing

Charts

Release history