R5 is a family band known for its tight-knit dynamic and high-energy pop rock, built around Ross Lynch and his brothers along with Ellington Ratliff. They are gearing up for the release of their debut album Louder, a milestone that signals a new chapter for the group. Before the full album lands, the quartet released the music video for their lead single Pass Me By, a fresh glimpse that pairs sunny melodies with cinematic storytelling. The video unfolds in a desert-like landscape, where the band performs against sunbaked horizons and rolling, arid textures that feel both expansive and intimate. Interwoven with the performance are parallel scenes featuring Austin & Ally star Ross Lynch as he encounters a girl at a large wilderness party attended by the band, a moment that echoes the song’s themes of chance, connection, and the lure of something new. The playful mood of the clip aligns perfectly with the song’s bright chorus and breezy guitar lines, building anticipation for Louder, which is slated to arrive on September 23. For fans in Canada, there is an extra incentive: a Canadian-exclusive sneak preview of Louder streaming from September 20 to 22, a pre-release weekend designed to offer a taste of the forthcoming tracks and a sense of the band’s evolving sound before the album becomes widely available.
Visually, the Pass Me By video leans into warm, sunlit tones and wide-open spaces, using the desert setting to convey a sense of freedom and possibility. The narrative threads between a carefree party atmosphere and a budding romance, weaving a lighthearted, story-first approach with the band’s performance segments. The result is a cohesive experience that highlights the group’s chemistry and the momentum behind their signature sound while letting the track’s hook carry through each scene. The parallel storyline, anchored by a romance that feels both earnest and playful, mirrors the song’s refrain about taking chances and embracing what might come next. Across the video, the band’s camaraderie is palpable, a reminder of the family bond at the heart of R5 and of how that unity translates into a live, stage-ready energy fans can expect on Louder.
As Louder builds toward its worldwide release, the Pass Me By video serves as both a teaser and a promise of the fuller listening experience to come. The narrative and sonic elements work together to position the album as a natural progression for the group, taking familiar pop-rock roots and expanding them with a broader, more cinematic sensibility. Canadian audiences have the added opportunity to preview Louder during the October preview window, creating early anticipation and giving listeners a sense of the album’s texture, tone, and potential singles beyond Pass Me By. With the video’s infectious energy and the band’s clear on-screen rapport, fans can look forward to a debut that blends family artistry with a polished, radio-ready sound that feels distinctly current while remaining true to R5’s signature charm.