Sidequest (album)

Sidequest
Studio album by Michael Clifford
Released	25 July 2025
Genre	Electronic [1] pop-punk
Length	27:14
Label	Hopeless
Producer	Michael Clifford JT Daly John Feldmann Andrew Goldstein Ryan Hall Matt Koma Oscar Neidhardt Porter Robinson Rudey
Singles from Sidequest
"Cool" Released: 4 April 2025 [2] "Give Me a Break!" Released: 23 May 2025 [3] "Kill Me for Always" Released: 27 June 2025 [4] "Enough" Released: 25 July 2025 [5]

Sidequest is the debut solo studio album by Australian musician Michael Clifford. It was announced on 23 May 2025 and released on 25 July that year. ^[3] The album features guest appearances from Porter Robinson, Waterparks, and Ryan Hall.

Singles

The album's lead single, "Cool", was premiered on 2 April released via on 4 April 2025. Rolling Stone described the song as "reflective". ^[2]

"Give Me a Break" was released on 23 May 2025 alongside the album's announcement. Melodic Mag said "The track explores the feelings of impostor syndrome, burnout and fear of judgment that come with being in the spotlight." ^[3]

"Kill Me for Always", was released on 27 June 2025 as the album's third single. ^[4] Clifford said "As the first track off my upcoming album, I think it perfectly sets the tone of the beginning of a story." ^[4]

"Enough" was released alongside the album on 25 July 2025 as the album's forth single. ^[5]

Reception

Rachael S Hunt from SF Gate said "Ten energetic, introspective tracks form a tight album that explores self-doubt, fame and romance. The songs are pop-punk in spirit but deviate from the formula with a stadium-sized production: experimental electronics, big synths and versatile vocals." ^[6]

Mary Varvaris from The Music said "When listening to Sidequest, it's clear that Clifford embraces a genre-free, eclectic style that you don't hear all that often, while still feeling uniquely him, and like it can appeal to Gen Z. He draws from influences as diverse as Biggie and My Chemical Romance, and as a result, the album defies categorisation. The chameleonic effort is packed with surprises: 'Cool' is pure pop-punk vibes, 'Thirsty' is an acoustic-led ballad, 'Eclipse' goes hyperpop, and he rap-sings on 'Give Me a Break'". ^[7]

Vivian Richey from Melodic Mag said "Sidequest blends pop-punk energy with honest and personal storytelling, offering a clear sense of who Clifford is both as an artist and a person. It's a project built on honesty, memory, and melody—and for a debut solo album, it successfully lands exactly where it should." ^[8]

Track listing

Sidequest track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Kill Me for Always" (featuring Porter Robinson)	Michael Clifford Oscar Neidhardt Noah Luke Nockels Porter Robinson	Clifford JT Daly Neidhardt Robinson Rudey	3:07
2.	"Cool"	Clifford Andrew Goldstein Calum Hood Marcus Lomax Elijah Noll	Clifford Daly Goldstein	2:43
3.	"Give Me a Break!" (featuring Waterparks)	Clifford Daly Mikky Ekko Awsten Knight Adrian Lyles Nockels Stefan Pajaro-van de Stadt Zeph Park Cedric de Saint-Rome	Clifford Daly	2:33
4.	"Remember When"	Clifford Nick Bailey Daly Matthew Hansen Sean Van Vleet	Daly	2:43
5.	"Enough"	Clifford John Feldmann Nockels Simon Wilcox	Clifford Daly Feldmann	2:58
6.	"Fashion"	Clifford Carol Ades Matt Koma	Clifford Daly Koma	2:40
7.	"Thirsty"	Clifford Braden Bales Katie Cecil Zachary Stein	Clifford Daly Ryan Hall	2:37
8.	"Nosebleed"	Clifford Koma Madison Love	Clifford Daly Koma	3:18
9.	"If I Had a Choice" (featuring Ryan Hall)	Clifford Nockels Cesar Peralta	Clifford Daly Hall	2:41
10.	"Eclipse"	Clifford Feldmann Sierra Hemmings	Clifford Daly Feldmann	1:51
Total length:				27:14

Note

• All track titles are stylised in lowercase.

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal. ^[9]

• Michael Clifford – lead vocals
• Adam Hawkins – mixing
• Joe LaPorta – mastering

Charts

Chart performance for Sidequest

Chart (2025)	Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [10]	10
Scottish Albums (OCC) [11]	33
UK Albums Sales (OCC) [12]	28
UK Independent Albums (OCC) [13]	15
US Top Album Sales ( Billboard ) [14]	15

References

1. Downs, Sarah (25 July 2025). "5SOS' Michael Clifford Releases Debut Solo Album SIDEQUEST". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
2. Paul, Larisha (2 April 2025). "5 Seconds of Summer's Michael Clifford Blasts to the Past With Solo Debut 'Cool'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
3. Bintliff, Amber (23 May 2025). "Michael Clifford announces release date for debut solo album Sidequest with new single featuring Waterparks". www.melodicmag. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
4. Downs, Sarah (26 June 2025). "5SOS' Michael Clifford Drops New Solo Single". Rolling Stone Australia . Retrieved 23 July 2025.
5. "The official lyric video for Michael Clifford's new single "enough" from the debut album 'SIDEQUEST' out now via Hopeless Records". YouTube. 25 July 2025. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
6. "Music Review: 5 Seconds of Summer's Michael Clifford goes solo on ambitious, pop-punk SIDEQUEST". SF Gate. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
7. "Michael Clifford On How Creating 'Like a Kid Again' Informed His Debut Album, 'SIDEQUEST'". The Music. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
8. "Michael Clifford makes vulnerable solo debut with Sidequest — Album Review". Melodic Mag. 25 July 2025. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
9. "Sidequest / Michael Clifford / Credits". Tidal . Retrieved 25 July 2025.
10. "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 4 August 2025. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
11. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
12. "Official Albums Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 1 August 2025.
13. "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
14. "Top Album Sales: Week of August 9, 2025". Billboard . Retrieved 5 August 2025.