Starting Line serves as the first taste of the musicians solo venture
Image: Scottie Cameron
Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and 5 Seconds of Summer frontman Luke Hemmings has today announced his debut solo record, When Facing the Things We Turn Away From. The announcement arrives with the first taste of the album, Starting Line, produced by Sammy Witte (Maggie Rogers, Jessie Ware).
Built upon dreamy piano and the singers mesmerising vocals, the track builds to a crescendo with swelling synths before erupting into glistening production atop a driving beat and shimmering guitar lines. Hemmings vocals ring throughout the track, showcasing his varying textural tones with introspective and reflective lyricism.
"Starting Line discusses missing various memories," Hemmings explains. "You’re reflecting on your youth and all of the madness and craziness. It’s like you’re forgetting so many pieces of your life—not from vices or anything—but from the sheer volume. I had to figure out how to fill a lot of gaps for myself in a positive way. It’s the human condition to change everything up after so long."
Written throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, When Facing the Things We Turn Away From is set to showcase sonic and conceptual growth from the 5SOS frontman, with the musician sharing that the record "allowed me to decipher the last 10 years of my life and help me make sense of the person I am today and how I got here".
When Facing the Things We Turn Away From is out August 13. Listen to Starting Line below.