Luke Hemmings’ sophomore project “boy” is a dreamy EP packed with larger-than-life songs
Words by Sydney Po
It’s been nonstop for Luke Hemmings as his new EP “boy” dives into coping with loneliness while surrounded by the busyness of new cities, new people, and life on tour.
Luke Hemmings’ sophomore project “boy” is nothing short of breathtaking. After the success of his first solo album, “When Facing the Things We Turn Away From”, it’s no surprise that he has given us yet another incredible body of work. The raw emotions we have received yet again from Hemmings connect with fans on a deep, deep level.
My connection with Luke Hemmings started at the ripe age of 10 years old when 5 Seconds of Summer’s debut album was released, and it has been a wild journey since then. It almost feels as if us fans and Hemmings have grown up together, as shown through the growth and development of the themes in both the newer 5SOS songs and Hemmings’ solo work. In many of his songs, it is prevalent that family is critical to his writing process, with “Benny” being featured on this new record, a song dedicated to his brother, and “Mum” on his debut. I also get the sense that he may have written some of these songs as a way to cope with touring, and his struggle to find a balance between his life at home and life on the road. Lyrics like “Watching from the outside; Should I be on a plane back home?” in the song “Benny” hit hard within my soul, just thinking about how he tries to grapple with the sacrifices he has made throughout his extensive career. Still, listening to this EP truly makes me feel as if I should be floating through space and time amongst the stars, with the dreamy instrumentation and impressive vocals consistent throughout every song Hemmings sings on.
With this new EP comes the same familiar sound we heard on Hemmings’ debut, but with more assurance and security as he has finally tapped into what he wants his solo sound to be. Hemmings has mentioned in multiple interviews that his new sound has been heavily influenced by exciting bands like Cocteau Twins, LCD Soundsystem, and Blur, just to name a few. By combining these influences with his favorite elements from his debut album, we get a melting pot of captivating music that tells us both lyrically and sonically where he has been, where he is now, and where he is going. “boy” is truly a genius musical insight to the happenings of Hemmings’ brain and thought processes that occur behind the scenes of his hectic life.
As for the future of Luke Hemmings, his tour “Nostalgia For A Time That Never Existed” kicks off in early May, and I am personally very excited to hear how his larger-than-life songs translate to the stage. He has never failed to put on a stellar live show, and I doubt this upcoming tour will be that exception.
You should all give “boy” a listen on any streaming platform and be sure to check out everything else Luke Hemmings has to offer.
