If you’re expecting another pop record out of One Direction’s third album, Midnight Memories, you’ll be sorely disappointed, but if you’re not a stickler for bands keeping to their genres and are just here for the good music and the head-banging tunes, then you’ll be more than happy to keep this album on repeat.
In case you’ve somehow managed to miss the fairytale story behind these five UK boys, here’s some background for you: when they were between the ages of 16 and 19 in 2010, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson were put together as virtual strangers on the X Factor UK by industry veteran Simon Cowell, saving them from having to be sent home as solo acts who didn’t make the cut. They only made it to third place together on the show, but they went on to become the most successful boy band in the world shortly after, garnering Beatles comparisons with the level of fan hysteria and pandemonium that began to surround them wherever they went.
The band released their first album in 2011, a clean-cut pop record by the name of Up All Night. The release turned into a chart-topping sensation overnight, and became the first debut album by a British band to ever reach No 1 in the US on the Billboard Hot 200, something even the fab four had never achieved. Their follow-up record, Take Me Home, displayed a significant growth vocally. Lyrically and musically, it was slightly rockier and more edgy while still retaining its overall youth.
Now, with their third album in just as many years, Midnight Memories marks a distinct departure for the five boys from the days of their Brit Award-winning single What Makes You Beautiful. The album’s ambitiously packed 18 song track list is chalk full with ‘80s inspirations that predate the 90s born band members themselves, with noticeable melodic influences running the gamut of folk, hair rock and even a bit of electronica.
Best Song Ever, Diana and Does He Know? are the three tracks that stand out as remaining true to the band’s pop sound, bridging the new album with their previous ones. Best Song Ever, the debut single off the record, instantly became a radio favourite and remains an earworm even amongst the other catchy tracks, whereas Diana is one of their less memorable songs and Does He Know? is vaguely reminiscent of 90s Irish boy band – and one of Horan’s favourite groups – Westlife.
The raucous title track Midnight Memories, the never-feel-alone tune Don’t Forget Where You Belong, and the undoubtedly raunchy number Little Black Dress, however, are all very obvious throwbacks to the far-gone decades of gritty, don’t-give-a-hoot rock ‘n roll, evoking memories of listening to Bruce Springsteen cassette tapes on the one hand and KISS, Aerosmith and Pink Floyd vinyl records on the other.
Their emotional second single, Story of My Life, alongside the uptempo anthem of overcoming obstacles for the sake of love, Happily, give off a more Mumford & Sons, feet-stomping and hand-clapping folk-rock vibe. The two songs are led by Styles’ gravelly tone and are immediately recognisable as two of the best tracks on the album, worthy of the repeat button.
Two stand-out tracks that straddle the line between pop and rock are Strong and Little White Lies, with Strong’s chorus is sure to lend itself to spirited sing-alongs in your car while Little White Lies’ catchy melody is hindered only by the song’s unfortunate ‘I know you want it’ message, too similar to Robin Thicke’s widely-criticised, but hugely successful Blurred Lines for comfort.
Despite an overall rough-around-the-edges vibe, the album does a good job of stripping things down and showing a more vulnerable – and vocally impressive – side to the boys. You & I, a song of invincible love that lasts against all odds, makes their previous single Little Things sound like child’s play. Right Now, with its Coldplay-esque verses, gives Malik a chance to show off his critically-acclaimed, fit for R&B range on the chillingly high chorus, with a set of candid lyrics speaking to the experience of being on the road away from loved ones. Half a Heart, the album’s closing track, is perhaps the most poignant of them all, distinguished by lyrics such as ‘Being here without you/Is like I’m waking up to/Only half a blue sky.’
Worthy of mention: the majority of the album’s writing credits go to the boys themselves and the verses have thusly been divvied up more equally amongst band members, giving each one a chance to shine.
Overall, Midnight Memories seems to be the band’s most compelling and honest release yet, showcasing what three years of making music, touring the world, and filming a documentary has done for the evolution of their sound.If you’ve ever thought to yourself that you’ll never be a One Direction fan, this will likely be the album to change your mind.
*Midnight Memories is out now.
