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 (2020). It is their first release through the label.[5] Billboard magazine included the song on their 100 Best Songs of 2019 list at number 79.[6] At the 2019 ARIA Music Awards, the song earned them a nomination for the ARIA Award for Best Group.[7]

"Easier"
Single by 5 Seconds of Summer
from the album Calm
Released23 May 2019
Recorded2019
Genre
Length2:38
LabelInterscope
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Charlie Puth
  • Louis Bell
  • Andrew Watt
5 Seconds of Summer singles chronology
"Who Do You Love"
(2019)		 "Easier"
(2019)		 "Teeth"
(2019)
Music video
"Easier" on YouTube

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.[8] On 12 July 2019, a remix by Seeb was released, and on 13 August 2019, a remix with Charlie Puth was released.[9]

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.[10]

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".[11] 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".[12]

Music video

The music video was released the same day as the single, 23 May 2019. It was directed by Grant Singer.[11] 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."[13]

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.[14]

As of March 2021, the video has over 55 million views.[15]

Track listing
Digital download
No.TitleLength
1."Easier"2:37
Digital download[16]
No.TitleLength
1."Easier" (SeeB Remix)2:45
Digital download[17]
No.TitleLength
1."Easier" (Live from The Vault)3:26

Awards and nominations
Year Organisation Nominated Result Ref.
2019 MTV Video Music Awards Best Pop Nominated [18]
2019 ARIA Awards Best Group Nominated [19]
2020 BMI Awards Best Performing Song Won [20]

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[57] 2× Platinum 140,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[58] Platinum 80,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[59] Gold 45,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[60] Gold 15,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[61] Platinum 50,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[62] Gold 5,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[63] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[64] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Charlie Puth remix
"Easier (Remix)"
Single by 5 Seconds of Summer and Charlie Puth
Released13 August 2019
Length2:37
LabelInterscope
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Charlie Puth singles chronology
"The Way I Am"
(2018)		 "Easier (Remix)"
(2019)		 "I Warned Myself"
(2019)

A remix, which features American singer-songwriter Charlie Puth (who also co-wrote and produced the original version), was released on 13 August 2019.[9][65]

Charts
Chart (2019) Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[66] 13

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various 13 August 2019
Interscope [65]

Release history
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various 23 May 2019
Original Interscope
Italy 24 May 2019 Contemporary hit radio Universal [67]
United States 28 May 2019 Interscope [68]
Various 12 July 2019
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 SeeB Remix [16]
7 August 2019 Live from The Vault [17]

References
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  2. Padin, Malvika (26 March 2020). "Album Review: 5 Seconds Of Summer - CALM". Gigwise. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  3. "Album Review: 5 Seconds of Summer - CALM Redbrick Music". Redbrick. 15 April 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  4. "ACE Repetory 'Easier' Work ID:897400286". ASCAP. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
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