Don’t Forget You Love Him: A Review of Calum Hood’s Solo Debut
by Savannah Bowie | May 15th, 2025
“12 am on Taco Tuesday, I’m crying out my eyes.”
Photo by Sarah Eiseman | @saraheiseman
I know, you’re wondering what that means and why I’m starting with it. But hear me out. It’s more than just a lyric, it’s the first thing Calum Hood decided to say to the world as a new solo artist. It’s a specific heartbreaking moment in time that feels like ripping off a bandage that was barely holding your emotions together. Just like Calum himself, it’s funny, vulnerable, and unexpectedly profound. Which is exactly why it’s perfect.
After over a decade of being known as the shy, soft-spoken bassist of 5 Seconds of Summer, Calum has finally found the space to tell his own story. With the release of not one but two singles–“Don’t Forget You Love Me” (released April 10th) and “Call Me When You Know Better” (released May 8th)–he’s showing us exactly who he is beneath all that great hair. In just two tracks and seven minutes, Calum reminds us that he’s more than just a bassist–he’s a tarot card-loving, emotionally driven storyteller, with a voice that deserves to be heard.
“Don’t Forget You Love Me” is what I’d call a soft but devastating blow to the chest that hits deeper with each listen. It’s haunting, vulnerable, and perfectly encapsulates that late-night loneliness feeling when you’re left alone with your thoughts. The song feels like memories unfolding in real-time, with Calum sharing his most intimate thoughts letting us all the way in.
That opening line–“12 am on Taco Tuesday”–does more than set the scene. It shows us that grief and heartbreak don’t always wait for anniversaries or goodbyes. Sometimes, it shows up at midnight on a seemingly random day that you wouldn’t think matters, but really, it does. For a debut single, it’s deeply personal and straight to the point. Calum’s telling the world: this is who I am.
Photo by Sarah Eiseman | @saraheiseman
In contrast, “Call Me When You Know Better,” feels healing in a way–the slow and quiet kind. Like a bruise that has slowly faded but still aches, reminding you it’s still there. If “Don’t Forget You Love Me” begs not to be forgotten, this song gently lets go. With lyrics like “I never should’ve hurt you” and “I’ll always be around” there’s a sense of acceptance and closure. It’s more than just another great song–it’s chapter two of a book that only gets better. Like he’s shared his heartbreak, let us sit with the sadness, and now he’s taking us on the path towards growth and self-discovery.
As a longtime fan of 5SOS and a certified Calum girl, I can confidently say: we are so back. This moment isn’t just exciting because we love him but because he’s letting us see a side to him we haven’t before. He’s always had a quiet presence about himself–like he didn’t need to speak to be felt. Now, with these songs, we finally get to experience Calum Hood the artist, and not just Calum Hood, bassist of 5 Second of Summer. It’s long overdue–but in the best way possible.
This solo debut doesn’t feel like a rebrand or a way to distance himself from 5SOS–it’s a quiet reveal. It’s a version of Calum fans know and love, finally stepping out of the shadows. His forthcoming album, “ORDER chaos ORDER”, drops June 13th, 2025, and these two singles feel like the calm before an even bigger and more emotional storm–one that I, and 5SOS fans everywhere, couldn’t be more ready for.
For years, Calum Hood has played it cool, often falling into the background. But now, he’s center stage, spotlight shining down, singing about Taco Tuesdays, late-night crash-outs, and the kind of heartbreak you find in ordinary moments. And somehow, he makes crying on a random Tuesday feel like a universal experience.
We missed him. We (lovingly) mocked him for being “unemployed.” We manifested this new solo era. And now that he’s here–album on the way and wearing his heart upon his sleeve (if you know you know)–we’re barely holding it together (at least I’m not).
