One Direction to go on a break in March for 2 years.
One Direction Songwriter Julian Bunetta Talks ‘Made in the A.M.’
“There’s a lot of love and loss and success and failure crammed into this”
In One Direction’s fifth year, the ever-maturing boy band endured the most drama and chaos of their career, following the loss of original member Zayn Malik and the announcement of a hiatus to follow the release of fifth album, Made in the A.M. The album, out on November 13th, follows in the vein of the classic rock and folk influences that have pervaded the pop group’s sound since they became more proactive songwriters on 2013’s Midnight Memories.
Read more: Rolling Stone
EXCLUSIVE! One Direction’s new album Made In The AM – world first track-by-track review
13 swansongs to end a phenomenal chapter in the One Direction story.
Brace yourselves because it’s nearly time: One Direction’s fifth (and final for some time) album is nearly upon us.
Created in the wake of Zayn Malik’s departure earlier this year, Made In The AM also comes before they head in four different directions as part of an extended break from the group in March 2016.
But that doesn’t mean the band have been lazy, and their latest collection proves they have continued to push their style in unexpected ways. Here’s our track-by-track first listen review.
Read more: Digital Spy
Justin Bieber and One Direction’s new albums: ‘biting the hand that feeds them’
It’s hard being a pop star in these times, apparently. “Mini bars, expensive cars, hotels rooms and new tattoos / The good champagne, private planes … they don’t mean anything,” Britain’s favourite boy band One Direction trill on History, the final track of what may be their final album.
“Life’s not easy” on the other side of the Atlantic either, where fast maturing teen idol Justin Bieber laments the strain of fame on electro-ballad I’ll Show You, mourning that “I’m not made out of steel / Don’t forget that I’m human, don’t forget that I’m real.”
Read more: The Telegraph
From Boys to Men: EW reviews Justin Bieber and One Direction’s new albums
Teen idols are the American Pharoahs of the pop world: beautiful creatures bred to dazzle and destined for early retirement. Obsolescence is literally built into the job description. So what’s a young superstar supposed to do when the mustaches have grown in and the clock is running out? If you’re Justin Bieber—possibly the most scrutinized public figure in America not currently running for office or married to Kanye West—you make your fourth studio album, Purpose, a definitive statement of young manhood, full of deeply meta references to fame and maturity and persecution by the press. If you’re One Direction, you basically pretend nothing has changed and produce Made in the A.M., another deft collection of shiny, hermetically sealed anthems. (Rogue member Zayn Malik may have quit the band or just run out for sushi; you won’t learn any salacious details here. There’s also no reference to the group’s upcoming indefinite hiatus.)
Read more: EW
One Direction bow out in a blaze of glory: Made in the A.M. is a bittersweet goodbye writes ADRIAN THRILLS
They have trotted relentlessly around the globe, recorded five albums in as many years and made the awkward transition from youth to manhood in the goldfish bowl of celebrity.
As they finally ride off into the sunset, it’s no wonder One Direction sound exhausted.
A sense of tiredness is most palpable on History, the final track on the boy band’s last album before they take an open-ended break. Co-written by Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson, it is a world-weary portrayal of life in their gilded cage.
‘Mini-bars, expensive cars, hotel rooms, some new tattoos,’ they sing. ‘Good champagne and private planes — they don’t mean anything.’
If the sense of ennui is somewhat relieved by an insanely catchy chorus, the underlying message is that the group are probably right to call it a day.
Read more: Daily Mail
One Direction’s Harry Styles: Soundtrack of My Life
The singer-songwriter shares the albums, songs and artists that have inspired him through the years
He’s easily the most recognizable face of One Direction and he may garner the most attention as the group gets ready to go on hiatus with the release of their new album. Depending on what you read, Harry Styles is either itching to launch a solo career or to continue behind the scenes as a writer. (He’s penned tunes for Ariana Grande, Alex & Sierra, and Meghan Trainor, to name a few.)
For now, Styles tells EW that he’s focused on launching Made in the A.M., a record the band is “very, very proud of. We’re looking forward to sharing it with everyone — we kind of want to get it out.” That may be an understatement: on Tuesday, One Direction released “Love You Goodbye,” joining “History,” “End of the Day,” and “Infinity” as early releases alongside singles “Drag Me Down” and “Perfect.”
Ahead, Styles, 21, talks about the albums and songs that shaped his and the group’s approach to the record. No surprise for anyone even tangentially familiar with Styles’ sartorial and musical tastes, the ’70s and ’80s play a huge role.
Read more: EW
One Direction’s Liam Payne: Soundtrack of My Life
Onstage, Liam Payne is a born performer. During One Direction concerts, he’s the one most likely to change up the songs as heard on the studio albums, adding trailing melodies and sky-high falsettos while providing added texture to even the most staid of tracks — like “What Makes You Beautiful” — thanks to his backing harmonies. “I do love being on stage,” he tells EW.
Behind the scenes, Payne boasts the second-most writing credits since their third record, Midnight Memories, when the band began taking creative control of their output in earnest. (Payne’s bandmate and frequent co-writer, Louis Tomlinson, has the most writing credits.) On Made in the A.M., Payne even has a producer credit on “Love You Goodbye,” one of his favorite new songs and one which Payne tells EW he would have loved to perform live if the band toured toured on this record. He also has, oddly enough, a string arrangement credit on MITAM opener “Hey Angel,” and he remixed “Drag Me Down” under the moniker Big Payno with Lunchmoney Lewis on the Perfect EP. “That is one of my favorite parts of [putting out a record],” he says. “Taking something One Direction and [remixing] it into dance music, because we’re not really the most … dance-music band in the world. This time we went for more of a trap sound, which was a lot of fun to do.”
Below, Payne, 22, talks about the performers that inspired him to become a singer-songwriter, and the musical influences that led him and his bandmates to their strongest outing yet.
Read more: EW
One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson: Soundtrack of My Life
‘Love You Goodbye’ is about that moment ‘when you come to the end of a relationship and you always find yourself seeing that person one last time. … If you can read between the lines’
As one of One Direction’s most prolific songwriters — along with Liam Payne and 1D’s steady roster of songwriter-producer collaborators like Julian Bunetta, Jamie Scott, John Ryan, and more — Louis Tomlinson plays a huge part in determining the band’s sound, one which has grown leaps and bounds since their debut album, Up All Night, was released four years ago. Their latest, Made in the A.M., is on track to be their best yet judging by the songs that have been released ahead of the Friday drop date. (And no, newly released “History” is not about departed band member Zayn Malik, despite fan and media speculation to the contrary. “People are always going to read into that kind of thing but actually, conceptually, ‘History’ is more about the relationship as a whole, you know? As a band,” Tomlinson tells EW. “We’ve all been through this together and we’ll never forget it but also we’ve been in this relationship with the fans and that’s … that’s kind of as far as it goes.”)
Below, Tomlinson, 23, reveals his inspirations and the songs that have helped him grow as a singer-songwriter-producer while touring and recording over the past five years.
Read more: EW
One Direction’s Niall Horan: Soundtrack of My Life
On ‘Made in the A.M.,’ Horan is most proud of ‘Never Enough’: ‘It was kind of a new sound that we had never tried before’
When Niall Horan first hit the The X Factor U.K. stage in 2010, performing Ne-Yo’s “So Sick,” he received mixed reviews from the judges’ panel. It was thanks to guest judge Katy Perry, who insisted he just needed time to grow, that he made the cut.
Now, in One Direction, Horan easily stands as most improved, having clearly worked over the years to perfect his singing, guitar-playing, and songwriting, effortlessly picking up a number of Zayn Malik’s vocals when he left the group back in March. On Made in the A.M., Horan boasts not just songwriting and composing credits — “I’m always kind of puttering around the studio,” Horan tells EW — but instrumental credits, as well. Below, he shares the musical inspirations that led to his contribution to the band’s most expertly executed record to date.
Read more: EW
A behind-the-scenes look at One Direction’s Made in the A.M.
EW caught up with Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson prior to the album’s release
One Direction’s highly anticipated fifth album, Made in the A.M., hit retailers everywhere Friday. EW spoke to Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson prior to its release, and along with sharing the soundtracks of their lives, they revealed some intel about what went into putting together their strongest album to date. Below is your behind-the-scenes look at MITAM, the meaning behind some of the most buzzed-about tracks, and why Styles was tweeting so many “Hey Angel” lyrics. (It’s not that deep.)
Ultimately, perception is in the ear of the listener …
Ever since the X Factor video diaries, the boys of One Direction have had their every move, word, facial expression, tweet, and Instagram dissected for hidden meaning — the kind of diligent fanaticism that puts the “Paul is dead” conspiracy theory to shame.
So, naturally, it’s no surprise that fans are also keen on interpreting the lyrics and pinning them on a certain person, place, or life event. Or departed band member. Or ex-paramour. Hypothetically, you know?
Read more: EW
That’ll drive fans wild! One Direction road-test the brand new 2016 Honda Civic in hilarious new television advert
They are accustomed to singing for a living.
But One Direction showcased their acting skills as they road-tested the 2016 Honda Civic in a brand new TV commercial, which will surely excite fans.
Together, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson joined fores for the thirty-second clip, which premiered on Thursday.
Read more: Daily Mail
How One Direction pay 1900 times more tax than Facebook: Band paid £8.2m to HMRC last year – while social networking site paid just £4,327
One Direction paid almost 2,000 times more tax than Facebook last year after racking up £45million in profits from album sales, gig tickets and merchandise.
UK authorities received £8.2million of the pre-tax profits made by 1D Media, the band’s company, while in comparison the British operations of the social media giant handed over just £4,327.
Such was the scale of tax paid by One Direction’s five members – including Zayn Malik, who left the band in March – that it came close to rivaling that contributed by global brands Apple and Amazon.
Read more: Daily Mail
Newly single Liam Payne is upbeat as 1D arrive at BBC studios for the band’s first ever Live Lounge performance…before he confirms band will take TWO YEARS off
The One Direction boys couldn’t hide their excitement as they arrived for the band’s first ever Radio 1 Live Lounge session at the radio station’s London studios, on Thursday afternoon.
Arriving together, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson could barely contain their delight at the prospect of recording their first session in the corporation’s Maida Vale base
But the visit also included a major piece of news, as Liam let slip the foursome are planning to take two years off when they go on hiatus next year.
Read more: Daily Mail
One Direction: We’re all going to take a break but we’re going to come back
One Direction say that they will be returning after their break next year.
The group have been talking to Greg James during their Radio 1 Live Lounge performance.
Liam Payne said it would be nice to have time to write songs without the pressure of touring and travelling around the world.
“Obviously we’re all going to take a break for a bit first and then consider where we are in the world,” Liam said.
Read more: BBC
One Direction’s Harry Styles looks upbeat for album promo… as Niall insists there’s ‘no fighting’ with Justin Bieber despite going head-to-head in the charts
They’re currently battling with Justin Bieber for that coveted number one spot in the albums chart.
But One Direction appeared upbeat as they promoted their latest release Made in the A.M. at BBC Radio 2 in London on Friday.
In fact, the band’s frontman Harry Styles, 21, appeared chirpy as he shook hands, flashed the peace sign and happily took selfies with waiting fans.
Read more: Daily Mail
Still got it! Bemused Zayn Malik can’t hide his surprise as he’s bombarded by fans for selfies as he steps out in New York
He’s no longer a part of the world’s biggest boyband.
But Zayn Malik clearly still has the power to draw in the fans, as evidenced when he stepped out from his hotel in New York on Wednesday evening.
The 22-year-old looked a tad overwhelmed and notably sleepy as he was bombarded by admirers as he attempted to make a low-key exit from his temporary home.
Read more: Daily Mail
Zayn Malik looks a world away from his boy band days as he steps out with a weary expression in rocky t-shirt and leather jacket in New York
Zayn Malik couldn’t hide his fatigued and slightly stunned expression as he stepped out in New York on Thursday.
The 22-year-old – who sensationally quit One Direction in March this year – emerged from The Bowery Hotel in the city, looking like he’d had little sleep after a big night.
However, the chiselled star still looked handsome, despite his dark eyes and bewildered appearance, his suave smattering of stubble doing wonders for his image.
Read more: Daily Mail
This is in-Zayn-ia! Cheeky Malik breathes a sigh of relief after frenzied fans mob the former 1D star outside his NYC hotel
It may have been nearly eight months since Zayn Malik left world-famous boyband One Direction.
But going it alone appears to have done nothing to tarnish Zayn’s appeal after frenzied fans mobbed the solo star outside his Manhattan hotel in NYC on Friday night.
The 22-year-old, who has been largely based Stateside since quitting the band in March, smiled with relief when he finally made it to a car unscathed.
Read more: Daily Mail
Ellie’s jewel of the Niall
We’ll write hit together, she says
NIALL HORAN’s bid for solo stardom has just had one El of a boost.
The ONE DIRECTION singer is counting on his old mate ELLIE GOULDING to conjure up a breakthrough hit as she revealed the pair are heading into the studio.
It’s a sure-fire sign Niall is planning to surprise 1D fans awaiting solo material as it was thought HARRY STYLES had been doing the early running having already recorded 20 tracks.
In an exclusive interview, Ellie told me: “I’m going to write with him.
“He’s a really good guitarist and he’s funny, cheeky, really cool. He’s been my friend for quite a few years so I’m really up for it.”
Niall was back with his 1D bandmates yesterday performing tracks at Radio 1’s Live Lounge.
LIAM PAYNE shocked fans by admitting their hiatus, which I revealed in August, is going to last for two years.
Read more: The Sun
_ _ _
Irish Charts
Singles
1 Adele – Hello
.
10 One Direction – Perfect
16 Fleur East – Sax
17 Little Mix – Love Me Like You
31 One Direction – Drag Me Down
32 Little Mix – Black Magic
38 One Direction – History
41 Kygo – Here For You (feat. Ella Henderson)
61 Olly Murs – Kiss Me
63 Ben Haenow – Second Hand Heart (feat. Kelly Clarkson)
97 One Direction – End Of The Day
Albums
1 Little Mix – Get Weird
.
60 One Direction – Four
_ _ _
The Official Charts
Singles
1 Adele – Hello
.
3 Fleur East – Sax
13 Little Mix – Love Me Like You
16 One Direction – Perfect
27 Olly Murs – Kiss Me
29 Ben Haenow – Second Hand Heart (feat. Kelly Clarkson)
33 Little Mix – Black Magic
37 One Direction – History
45 Sigma – Coming Home (feat. Rita Ora)
52 One Direction – Drag Me Down
73 Kygo – Here For You (feat. Ella Henderson)
80 Sigma – Glitterball (feat. Ella Henderson)
83 One Direction – End Of The Day
93 Rita Ora – Body On Me (feat. Chris Brown)
Albums
1 Elvis Presley – If I Can Dream
.
2 Little Mix – Get Weird (60K)
70 Carrie Underwood – Storyteller
