Drummer of 5 Seconds of Summer, Ashton Irwin, is back with more solo music in the shape of his latest two-part album Blood on the Drums. The first half of the album titled The Thorns was released back in June and with the recent arrival of half 2, The Roses, listeners have a complete Irwin album to enjoy.

Kicking off with ‘Straight To Your Heart’, Blood on the Drums’ unstoppable fire is ignited from the get-go.

Kicking off with ‘Straight To Your Heart’, Blood on the Drums’ unstoppable fire is ignited from the get-go. The track made a great first single from the album and sits well in the opening slot. Venturing deeper into the record we are welcomed by the grungey sounds of ‘Breakup’ which echo the sounds of Irwin’s 80s inspirations. This style is also noticeable in ‘The Canyon’ on half two, a lyrically sincere track about male mental health. 

The titular track ‘Blood on the Drums’ and ‘Indestructible’ are huge tracks with unrelenting basslines, thunderous drums and soaring vocals; Irwin demonstrates he is a powerhouse musician with these tracks. ‘I See The Angels’ was the initial standout for me when I first listened to The Thorns; its upbeat melody and catchy choruses creates an addictive pop-rock track. The lyrics detail perseverance and self-determination in a hopeful tale of overcoming darkness. 

‘Endless Wave’ closes the record on an introspective note; the subdued track hosts warm acoustic, filtered vocals and meditative lyrics.

‘Lose You’ and ‘Rebel At Heart’ are solid songs which promise to be earworms at the very least. Whilst I think Irwin excels the most with powerful pop-rock tracks, ‘California Holds Her Breath’ and ‘Wild Things’ are well crafted ballads. We see Irwin leaning into his pop-punk roots, reminiscent of the early 5SOS sound, with ‘Glory Days’ which appropriately discusses the vivacity and excitement of his youth. ‘Wicked Habit’ adopts a similar sonic, the pop-punk influences undeniably audible on the chorus. ‘Endless Wave’ closes the record on an introspective note; the subdued track hosts warm acoustic, filtered vocals and meditative lyrics. 

Clocking in at fifty minutes Blood on the Drums is diverse, reflective and confident; it feels like Irwin has found his sonic and the record is a great, edgier, progression from his debut, Superbloom. It’s safe to say that Irwin’s solo music is more than welcome in between 5SOS projects.

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