Living up to its reputation as the number one boyband in the world, One Direction took over Orlando’s Universal Studios November 17 and 18 to celebrate the release of its highly anticipated fourth album, aptly named Four. More than 20,000 fans flooded the parks in order to participate in One Direction-related activities, including two live performances. With many of the tracks penned by Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan themselves, Four marks the band’s transition from manufactured bubblegum pop to a legitimate musical powerhouse. However, the band retains the female-aimed lyrics that have gained its infectious tunes worldwide success. The band went on to sweep the competition and win all three nominations at this year’s American Music Awards, including the prestigious Artist of the Year. With the announcement of the band’s second stadium tour, On The Road Again 2015, One Direction is poised to maintain its spot at the top of the charts, teenage hearts and the world.
Notable Tracks:
1. “Steal My Girl”- With both Tomlinson and Payne as writers, the album’s first single sets an uplifting tone for the rest of the album. An irresistible opening, catchy beats and feel-good chorus all contribute to the song’s success.
Lyric: “I don’t exist if I don’t have her, the sun doesn’t shine, the world doesn’t turn.”
2. “Ready To Run”- Tomlinson and Payne return with this tune, which is easily a favorite off the album. While the guitar riffs are similar to last year’s “Story of My Life,” “Ready to Run” comes off as an updated and more mature follow-up.
Lyric: “This time I’m ready to run, wherever you are is the place I belong.”
3. “Where Do Broken Hearts Go”- Arguably the best song off the album, “Where Do Broken Hearts Go” includes all the ingredients for a stadium-filling pop smash-hit. The heavy beat masks the somewhat gloomy message, making it a perfect pump-up song for when you’re feeling a bit down.
Lyric: “It took me some time but I figured it out, how to fix up a heart that I let down.”
4. “18”- Like One Direction’s previous albums, Four also includes a ballad penned by Ed Sheeran. His fingerprints on the track are obvious: stripped-down vocals are backed by more acoustic-sounding guitars, telling a love tale bordering on sappy, but lovable none the less.
Lyric: “To be loved and to be in love.”
5. “Night Changes”- “Night Changes” is the album’s next single, and the infectious tune has been performed live several times already including The Today Show and The American Music Awards. This song dispels all rumors that the band can’t actually sing—they in fact can, and very well at that. Styles steals the show on this track, with his raspy voice carrying the chorus that non-1D fans can easily jam to with no shame.
Lyric: “Does it ever drive you crazy, just how fast the night changes?” ; “She’s falling, doesn’t, even know it yet.”
All in all, One Direction manages to mature its typical mish-mash of big pop hits and slower love ballads in a way that’s sure to win over some new fans and thrilling the die-hard oldies as well.
