5SOS frontman Luke Hemmings teams with Harry Styles hitmaker for debut solo single Starting Line

Luke Hemmings joins 5SOS drummer Ashton Irwin in the solo side project club with his debut single as the band continue to work on their next chapter.

5 Seconds of Summer frontman Luke Hemmings incited a fan army meltdown when he released his surprise debut solo single Starting Line on Wednesday.

It’s the first taste of his upcoming solo record When Facing The Things We Turn Away From, out on August 13.

And no, 5SOS have not split up.

5 Seconds of Summer frontman Luke Hemmings has released his solo project. Picture: Supplied/Scottie Cameron

His lockdown musical creation is the second solo project from the global chart-toppers’ camp, with drummer Ashton Irwin releasing his Superbloom record in October.

And like the Irwin record, Hemmings is exploring experimenting with different musical worlds on his solo effort.

Starting Line kicks off with a dreamy piano intro and builds to a big pop crescendo of synths and guitars which sounds like a Harry Styles collaboration with Coldplay.

Hemmings busts out some guitar on the new track. Picture: Getty

The soundalike comparison makes sense with Hemmings working on his solo record with Grammy Award-winning producer and songwriter Sammy Witte, whose credit appears on Styles’ acclaimed second album Fine Line.

“Starting Line discusses missing various memories,” he said in a statement announcing his solo chapter.

“You’re reflecting on your youth and all of the madness and craziness. It’s like you’re forgetting so many pieces of your life — not from vices or anything — but from the sheer volume.

“I had to figure out how to fill a lot of gaps for myself in a positive way. It’s the human condition to change everything up after so long.”

It’s not the only big news Hemmings has shared with fans this month. He announced via his socials earlier this month he is engaged to his long-time girlfriend, singer Sierra Deaton.

Luke Hemmings proposes to his partner Sierra Deaton. Picture: Instagram

The 5SOS frontman shared that “with shaking hands but a full heart I proposed to my best friend earlier this year” but the pair kept it a secret until their joint posts on June 9.

5SOS have been working on their fifth record at their LA home studios. Picture: Justin Lloyd

The other members of the band including guitarist Michael Clifford and bassist Calum Hood have been keeping fans up to date with the progress of their new record with semi-regular posts of them working in their respective home studios together.

They dramatically changed up their team in March, announcing they were leaving Interscope Records in America and Modest Management to sign with YM & U Group, whose roster includes Blink 182, Jane’s Addiction and Take That.

While they have yet to announce a new label deal for the band, Hemmings’ solo record will be put out by Arista Records in the US and Sony Music in Australia.

Originally published as 5SOS frontman Luke Hemmings teams with Harry Styles hitmaker for debut solo single Starting Line