MICHAEL CLIFFORD OF 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER
RELEASES DEBUT SOLO SINGLE
AND VIDEO FOR “COOL”
LISTEN HERE WATCH HERE
ANNOUNCES SOLO ALBUM SIDEQUEST
Today, 5SOS singer-songwriter Michael Clifford debuts his first solo single, “Cool,” alongside its official music video, released via Hopeless Records.
The release coincides with the announcement of Michael’s debut solo album, SIDEQUEST, coming soon.
Co-produced by Michael alongside JT Daly (Demi Lovato, Benson Boone, Alex Warren) and Andrew Goldstein (Tate McRae, Machine Gun Kelly, Travis Barker), and co-written with his 5SOS bandmate and best man, Calum Hood, cool marks the launch of Michael’s solo career. With this release, he steps into the spotlight on his own terms, introducing a fresh sound and perspective.
cool delves into self-doubt and the often uneasy journey of navigating insecurity. The track captures the struggle of trying to fit in, questioning your place, and feeling out of sync in unfamiliar surroundings.
Reflecting on the release, Michael shared, “This song speaks for itself, and my hope is that when fans hear the lyrics, they’ll understand me—and maybe themselves—a little better. I’ve been sitting with this music for a long time, so I’m beyond excited for everyone to finally hear it. And ‘cool’ is just the beginning. I want this project to make people smile. I’m just out here doing a bunch of sidequests. Now that I’m a dad, everything else feels like a sidequest!”
Alongside the single, Michael has also released the official music video for cool.
Watch here.
Directed by Bobby Hanaford, the video follows Michael as he navigates flashing cameras and bright lights, donning a variety of looks while questioning, as the chorus puts it, whether he’s “cool enough.”
Reflecting on the collaboration, Hanaford shared, “It’s rare to work with an artist willing to poke fun at themselves and hold up a mirror in such an honest way. The funny thing is, that kind of vulnerability is exactly what connects with people. The moment I heard ‘cool,’ I knew Michael was already there—dropping his guard and letting us in. He uses his own inner critic to take us on a journey through self-doubt, something everyone can relate to. The vision for the video came together quickly, and working with Michael to dive deeper into that idea and bring it to life was an amazing process. This whole project feels like a breath of fresh air, especially in an industry that often prioritizes looking ‘cool’ over being real.”
With its playful pop-punk energy, cool showcases Michael’s bold new sound, marking an exciting evolution in his music.
Directed by Bobby Hanaford, the video follows Michael as he navigates flashing cameras and bright lights, donning a variety of looks while questioning, as the chorus puts it, whether he’s “cool enough.”
Reflecting on the collaboration, Hanaford shared, “It’s rare to work with an artist willing to poke fun at themselves and hold up a mirror in such an honest way. The funny thing is, that kind of vulnerability is exactly what connects with people. The moment I heard ‘cool,’ I knew Michael was already there—dropping his guard and letting us in. He uses his own inner critic to take us on a journey through self-doubt, something everyone can relate to. The vision for the video came together quickly, and working with Michael to dive deeper into that idea and bring it to life was an amazing process. This whole project feels like a breath of fresh air, especially in an industry that often prioritizes looking ‘cool’ over being real.”
With its playful pop-punk energy, cool showcases Michael’s bold new sound, marking an exciting evolution in his music.
