As the colorful-haired guitarist and vocalist of the record-breaking Australian pop-rock band 5 Seconds of Summer, Michael Clifford is ready to reintroduce himself with a monumental solo debut album, “SIDEQUEST.” It is an ode to human connection – for his dedicated fans and anyone else who needs to hear it. Michael delivers his career-best vocal performances on “sidequest.” “I’m 12 years into my career, and people still haven’t heard my voice properly,” he says. Now, he can finally let it all out. “sidequest” defies categorization – moving from the playful pop-punk and alternative sounds of his youth to forward-looking peppy synths, glimmery electronic rhythms and asymmetrical arrangements. There are no precise reference points, no unimaginative plays for nostalgia here. Michael has created a sound all his own, where working through self-doubt feels like euphoria and soul-bearing revelations are revealed atop power chords, enticing the listener to dive deeper. Michael’s band, 5 Seconds of Summer, met in high school in 2011, launched a YouTube channel, and quickly became labeled the “biggest new rock act in the world” by Rolling Stone with five critically acclaimed studio albums, including their most recent album which Michael produced, “5SOS5”. To date, 5SOS is the only Australian band in history to have their first three full-length studio albums enter the Billboard 200 at No. 1. They’ve also sold over 18 million albums and boast 6 million concert tickets.
