From boy band to men: A decade of One Directions musical evolution in 60 minutes – The A.V. Club

On July 23, 2010, there was a ripple across the pond. During production of the seventh series of the U.K.s The X Factor, five young ladsNiall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinsonfailed to make enough of an impression on the judges to advance to the next round as individuals. But in a savvy move, X-Factor judge and V-necked superproducer Simon Cowell pulled the five teenagers aside and gave them a second chancethey would continue on in the competition as a group under Cowells tutelage. The boys were elated and quickly united in their mission, unanimously agreeing over text (as the story goes) to be known as One Direction. When the series hit British airwaves, fans immediately took to the mop-haired teens, watching their real-life friendships blossom as they tore their way through the competition. On December 12, 2010, they finished third on The X-Factor; their consolation prize: A reported 2 million record deal with Cowells Syco Records.

A decade later, its hard to believe that the members of One Direction1D for shortwere once the underdogs. By the time they arrived in America for their first stateside tour, the buzz over pop musics next big thing was already deafeningsome even likened it to Beatlemania. While their refusal to dance meant they werent exactly following in the choreography-heavy footsteps of the boy bands before them, it only helped make them that much more appealing: They were the every-lads, just five young guys who wanted to make music and have a good time. Mischievous, but not dangerous. Charming and crush-worthy, but relatable. Their music and image was perfectly manufactured to lean into these qualities, the boys maintaining a sense of goofy realness even under all the glossfor a while there, it really did seem like they were having a blast. But the nonstop cycle of albums and globe-trotting took its toll, and during the groups fourth world tour in five years, it was announced that Zayn Malik would leave 1D in early 2015. Later that year, the group released Made In The A.M. (which some suggested stands for After Malik), shortly followed by the announcement of a hiatus starting in 2016. In the years since, Niall, Zayn, Liam, Harry, and Louis have all released solo singles and albums, carving out space for themselves and defining their personal sounds in the shadow of One Direction.

If youre reading this, its safe to assume that youre either holding on to some affection for the former reigning boy band (without a doubt, BTS now claims that crown), or you cant believe were about to argue that they have enough worthwhile songs to fill out an hour-long playlist. Either way, welcome! Whether you love or loathe One Direction and their record-breaking career, venturing back through their discography provides a fascinating look at the evolution of a boy bandhow five young performers grew up within the contract-laden confines of the mainstream music machine, and how they found their voices while millions of Directioners (the moniker for self-described 1D stans) clung to their every word. From the starry-eyed teenage debut, Up All Night, to the (varyingly successful) string of solo adult albums, this Power Hour distills a decade of One Direction down to the tracks that highlight their growth as a quintet, eventually a quartet, and then as individuals. These are the enduring songs that define their legacy and prove that, once these five set their sights on music stardom, the only direction they could go was up.

There are more than a few similarities between One Thing and One Directions inescapable breakout hit What Makes You Beautiful, both from the debut album Up All Night: Both are driven by a clap-heavy beat and a buoyant guitar riff, and both have a chorus that begs to be shouted by adoring fans. Aside from giving all of the members their moment to shine vocally, One Thing ultimately stands out as the groups definitive early single because of its intriguing ambiguity. What is that one thing, anyway? Like Meatloafs Id Do Anything For Love (But I Wont Do That), the lyrics keep things vague, allowing the listener to imagine theyre the one One Direction cant get out of their heads.

After the runaway success of the groups debut, One Direction turned it all the way up for album two: Take Me Home is a proper charm offensive with the goal of world domination. Its third single Kiss You leans hard into their goofball personas, a gonzo love song that promises to, show you off to all of my friends, making them drool down their chinny-chin-chins. Childish? Maybe so, but the song relishes in its youthful energy. By the time it reaches the na na nas of its final bridge, youre putty in the hands of one of 1Ds catchiest tunes. Frenetic yet perfectly polished, Kiss You is a sugar rush from start to finish.

When laying out the groundwork for Take Me Home, Simon Cowell reportedly challenged industry hit-makers to submit potential No. 1s, effectively tasking top songwriters to compete for their slot on One Directions sophomore album. This go-big-or-go-home approach meant that the record was a near-exhausting barrage of bumping back-beats and radio-ready hooks. Still, Cmon, Cmon stands outits One Direction at the groups most celebratory and joyful. Indicative of the albums more electronic sound, the song emphasizes its drum-machine wallops and New Wave synths to irresistible effect, and then drops them out for a split-second before launching into a soaring chorus. Its all over in less than three minutes, but Cmon, Cmon is the kind of song that buzzes in your head for much longer.

Now certified global pop stars with a splashy tour documentary under their belts, the members of One Direction were out to prove that they could adapt to a more mature milieu for 2013s Midnight Memories. With artists like Mumford & Sons and The Lumineers giving the years adult contemporary charts a folksier makeover, a number of the albums cuts followed suit. Midnight Memories most successful foray into folk-rock, Through The Dark, doesnt shy away from its influences; following Little Lion Mans formula, it kicks off with a lone acoustic guitar, gradually building to a rollicking chorus built for boot-stomping (its pop sheen also means it holds up better than a lot of that eras hits, which already sound like relics). The song had its broadcast debut on a Paul Rudd-hosted episode of SNL wheredespite some visible discomfortthe quintet showcased their knack for harmonies, proving to the shows late-night audience there was talent behind all the hype.

Along with the groups new, grown-up sound, Midnight Memories found One Direction ditching the playful innuendos for (slightly) more overt pillow talk. Near the albums midpoint, on Happily, Payne sings, Its four A.M. and I know that youre with him; I wonder if he knows that I touched your skin. Its not quite scandalous, but the guys music had to go past puppy love if they wanted to be taken seriously as artists. Elsewhere, the refrain exclaims, I dont care what people say when were together, painting the picture of a forbidden romance, giving the bands young queer fans (of which there were many) enough wiggle room to find themselves in its narrative. With its clap-and-shout catharsis, Happily might be the closest thing 1D has to a queer anthem.

While some cited One Directions fourth album Four as evidence the group was losing a bit of its luster (the unimaginative title only highlighting this inevitability), in retrospect, it also produced some of their most potent and thoughtfully constructed tracks. Fireproof, for example, channels breezy 80s Fleetwood Mac for a tambourine-fueled testament to a love built to last. That a guitar riff takes the spotlight for its second bridge instead of another round of na na nas showcases a wizened restraintthat the group had grown beyond the need for another radio-ready sing-along. Noted Directioner Mitski (who once tweeted, disrespect 1D, disrespect me) also gave the song her stamp of approval with a killer, fuzzed-out cover, showing that even indie rockers couldnt resist the charms of One Direction.

Boy band music videos have traditionally served up big concepts and even bigger budgets, but One Directions date-night clip for Night Changes displays simple brilliance. With the videos handheld point-of-view cinematography, viewers are given the opportunity to spend a special moment with each band membera wine-and-dine with Zayn, ice-skating with Harry, cozy board games by the fire with Nialluntil they all go a bit off the rails. Indulgent, earnest, and goofy, it endures as 1Ds definitive video. Musically, Night Changes creates a similar romantic atmosphere, employing ooh ooh backing vocals and a heartbeat bass drum to woo listeners into its mid-tempo easy-listening before sealing the deal with an irresistible key change.

With its insinuation that falling in love can feel a bit like its titular psychological condition, Stockholm Syndrome has some questionable sexual politics. Nevertheless, the song is an absolute pop banger, putting some arena-ready oomph behind another classic One Direction hook. Like many of the groups later tracks, Stockholm Syndrome wears its influences on its sleeve, recalling The Polices post-punk energy with its bouncing guitar riff that swells to match the whoas! of its chorus. It should come as no surprise that the song became one of the rare 1D covers Harry Styles would trot out on his first solo world tourit highlights both his lower-register timbre and his powerful belt, planting the seeds for the rock star to come.

Throughout its tenure, One Direction endured many comparisons to The Beatles, largely in terms of the groups status as an inescapable global phenomenon. But if there was ever a track that sounded like kin to a Sgt. Peppers diddy, its the vibrant, utterly sunny Olivia. Co-written by Styles, the exuberant love song is a time machine unto itself and a joyful standout among the bands winding discography. Backed by a full orchestra, the track is an indulgent celebration of all-consuming devotion. With the power of hindsight, it would be fair to also view it as foreshadowing for what could be expected from Styles then-forthcoming solo effort: something vintage and infectious.

The bands announcement of an impending extended hiatus was met with global devastation from long-time devotees, but not that much shock. Even before Maliks abrupt departure in March 2015, the young men had been ruminating on their inevitable transition into solo work since the year prior. History was more than a folksy, guitar-driven culmination of years of hard work; it was also a fitting sign-off. Equipped with a rousing hook, the final single from the then-quartet rang like a cozy bars last-call anthem and a loving farewell to the bands historic era.

Malik explained his exit from one of the biggest modern musical acts in pop culture as an opportunity to show off his more authentic self, a way to make the music that he actually stood behind. As the first 1D member to build up his solo persona, his Mind Of Mine may have caused some understandable whiplash for those familiar with the music he was making just a year prior. Leaving the palatable, family-friendly rock-pop archetype behind and leaning more into hazy R&B and sensual soft funk, BoRdErZ bared no hints of Maliks glossy boy band roots and became one of the stronger songs among the bunch. It was also one of eight collaborations with Grammy-winning songwriter-producer Malay, and a promising look at Zayns growth as an artist (groan-inducing stylization of track titles aside).

Not every One Directioner has managed to comfortably find a distinctive sound beyond their boy band roots. Since the bands break, Louis Tomlinson has released a handful of singles and, as of this year, a debut album with Walls, although none of it has really resonated on the same scale as his former bandmates. But in 2016, Tomlinson teamed with super DJ Steve Aoki for his first official solo venture. Just Hold On was everything a listener would need from an EDM-pop jaunt: catchy, uplifting, and a solid addition to any festival lineup. It was also a sound that Tomlinson never fully revisited, later opting for the more rock-driven soundscape that underscored the majority of 1Ds discography. Now the track largely exists as a memento of a fairly untrodden path toward house and dance stardom that very well could have set him apart from the rest of his former bandmates.

Of the five original 1D members, Styles, unsurprisingly, has managed to cultivate the biggest solo career. With his boisterous style and generation-defying sound, critics often cite classic rock tentpoles like Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney in their praises. Carolina crystallized Styles appreciation of 60s and 70s rock in a rollicking ode to a girl he met once. Upbeat and reverent, the song became a tour favorite and a late-blooming summer jam. Years later, it endures as a testament to Styles determination to make music that could fit in any decade and possibly outlast us all.

Easily the star of Styles debut, Kiwi is nothing but fun, unabashed rock. The opening verseShe worked her way through a cheap pack of cigarettes / Hard liquor mixed with a bit of intellect / And all the boys, they were saying they were into it / Such a pretty face, on a pretty neckworked hard to cement a much older point of view for 1Ds breakout star. Its energetic spirit also signaled a budding soloist who was willing to exist outside of a single box, setting him apart from his former bandmates as one of the strongest songwriters in the group.

Chalk it up to his ever-present grin, but Niall Horan certainly earned a reputation as the cheekiest of One Directions merry pranksters, which made his folksy, assured solo debut that much more surprising. Flicker had one hell of a saucy single in Slow Hands, but its Seeing Blinda swooning duet with country superstar Maren Morristhat best carved out a niche for Horan in a post-One Direction world. His reedier voice trades off with Morris full-bodied twang in the verses before the two combine for a gorgeous harmony in the songs sweeping refrain. Seeing Blind is a honest-to-goodness country love song with crossover appeal that, like Tomlinsons EDM dabbling, proves the guys didnt need to stay in their former bands pop-rock lane to succeed.

With Icarus Falls, Malik offered a lengthy, 27-track followup to Mind Of Mine that truly highlighted his solo potential. It didnt quite garner the same commercial success as his debut, but it did carve a viable path forward for a growing alt-R&B artist. Its a shame that we never saw a more robust celebration of Maliks second album outside of its more favorable critical reception: Icarus Falls provided more than its fair share of both genre-bending entries and straightforward grooves like Imprint. Sleek and laid-back, the easy tune was a nice bridge between the two projects, changing the pace of the album and solidifying his signature sound.

There are a few genres at work in Fine Lines second single, the ever-charming Adore You. Rock, pop, disco, and funk have ways of registering a little differently with each listen, but all are bolstered by a thumping baseline and Styles soulful vocals in a true go-for-broke love jam. Though the subject of an elaborate (and rather brilliant) viral marketing campaign, Adore You absolutely sells Styles abilities as a wide-ranging artist on its own merit, employing lush background harmonies and an alluring energy that makes it difficult not to fall for his inherent charm. Of all the mellifluous things to come out of One Directions break, this track is by far one of the best.

If 1D were still around to grow the bands collective sound, its current music would likely be comparable to Horans Heartbreak Weatherthat is, breezy, guitar-heavy, and pleasantly melodic. Its snappy (figuratively and quite literally) bridge is so reminiscent of a One Direction hit that it sounds like a Made In The A.M. bonus track in the best way. Out of everyone, Horan held tightly to the playful spirit that catapulted the band into superstardom while injecting his own innate folksy musicality, crafting an ethos that is still very much his own. Heartbreak Weathers title track was not only an ideal opening track for casual listeners, but a security blanket of sorts for fans who still miss the spirited group that started it all.

Since were just shy of 60 minutes, theres time to wrap up this Power Hour with One Directions most meme-able moment to date. When Act My Age was released as an extra track on the Ultimate Edition of 2014s Four, it felt like something of a lark: The band sings about getting fat and old over what is, essentially, an Irish jig on adrenaline. According to Knowyourmeme.com, Twitter user @hozierlesbianin a stroke of geniusspliced the songs raucous strings over video of a familys impressive synchronized dance to Freco and Merlos Drop. Then, in early 2019, the edit fell into the right hands on Twitter, and a brand new reaction meme was born. Those unfamiliar with the One Direction deep cut were mystified by the clips pirate music, but longtime Directioners clocked the song immediately. The surprising viral moment for Act My Age may have spiked over a year ago, but it speaks to the fact that the earnest, irresistible spirit of One Directions music lives on, even if the bands in no hurry to come back from hiatus any time soon.

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From boy band to men: A decade of One Directions musical evolution in 60 minutes - The A.V. Club