One Direction have recently released their bladder-bursting, ovary-exploding third studio album ‘Midnight Memories’. The album had a tough act to follow after 2011 success ‘Up All Night‘, and 2012 No.1 worldwide hit ‘Take Me Home‘.
The new album shows One Direction as they’ve grown up over the years, diverting from their typical teenybopper pop vibe to a more mature, edgier sound.
Some may say that by pushing a rockier and more grown up sound, the boys have gone against everything that their fan base want and hope from One Direction music but I disagree. The album is still very much One Direction but heard in a different light, in a way we can appreciate their diversity and amazing vocal talent away from the global pop phenomenon that they are.
Getting down to business, here’s my track-by-track review of ‘Midnight Memories’ (The Deluxe Edition).
Best Song Ever
This was the first track to be released, four months prior to the album being dropped. Initially, critics were skeptical about the title of the track, which was clever as it certainly drummed up excitement for the release. ‘Best Song Ever’ had a lot to live up to in order to follow the successful footsteps of 1D’s previous lead singles, ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ and ‘Live While We’re Young’. The incredible vocal harmonies, infectiously catchy chorus and epic 6 minute long music video all make the perfect recipe for a well deserved no.1 smash hit. My verdict: Well and truly amazayn!
Story Of My Life
The album’s second track wins the award for the best acoustic-like track, with a hint of pop greatness. But does it trump their previous sweet ballad ‘Little Things’? It’s quite possible, as the song brings everything good about a perfect love song, but one that’s not too dull and has you bopping along to the punchy chorus. Solid 10/10 for me.
Diana
The album’s promotional track, dropped shortly before the release of the album. This is the exact point on the track list where we hear One Direction emerge from strictly ‘pop’, to a more pop-rock genre of music. Although the track is very much typical One Direction, something about it feels a little more subtle than their usual in-your-face hits. Fully equipped with catchy lyrics and a stand-out chorus, the track gives us something a little different, which is the true aim of the album.
Midnight Memories
The album’s title track brings us something very different to what we’re used to in 1D’s music. The track is very much guitar-heavy as One Direction infuse more of a rock vibe into their music. Once you get over the initial shock of the change in their voices, and the fact that the chorus sounds drastically similar to Def Leppard’s ‘Pour Some Sugar On Me’, then it easily becomes one of the best songs on the album.
You and I
The slowest, softest ballad from the album, which probably doesn’t get as much credit as it deserves. As we step away from the guitar-heavy sounds of the previous songs, we can appreciate the heartfelt lyrics and beautiful vocals of this album track.
Don’t Forget Where You Belong
A song where One Direction took the chance to write about their experience on the road, a song that will keep them grounded. They sing “made a lot of changes, but not forgetting who I was”, which seems very fitting. The anthemic track could well hold up in the charts if it was ever released as a single
Strong
‘Strong’ serves as the typical love song that almost every album has nowadays, but with a difference. Any One Direction song has the power to melt the hearts of girls all over the world, and this is no exception. The song has a powerful chorus along with an infectious rhythm which instantly makes you fall in love with it.
Happily
It’s always good to follow up a slow, downbeat song with a more up-tempo vibe, and One Direction do that perfectly. The boys have managed to pull another mega catchy track with ‘Happily’, as they introduce the Mumford & Sons influence that everybody loves.
Right Now
One Direction always manage to make a good mid-tempo tune which can be belted out at the top of the lungs with a powerful chorus. Something about ‘Right Now’ makes it appear more adult-like than previous 1D songs, but is still a typical boyband banger.
Little Black Dress
If One Direction have ever made an 80s rock song, then this is the one. ‘Little Black Dress’ sees the influx of guitars make a return, and they come back in force. The boys aren’t holding back with this one and it just shows that they aren’t afraid to go for it with the ‘ooww’s and insane guitar strumming.
Through The Dark
The album gets very Mumford-y with this track, if it hadn’t already before. It seems to create the perfect balance of alternative-folk music and One Direction-ness. This would be my first choice of a fourth single release, it’s a shoo-in for the no.1 spot.
Something Great
In this track, it’s so very evident the influence that Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody had in writing the song. We can see some obvious similarities, and it’s definitely been written along the lines of a Snow Patrol type song – which isn’t a bad thing at all.
Little White Lies
Just when we got into a sort of guitar-strumming/rocky heaven, One Direction brought us back down to earth. ‘Little White Lies’ gives us a burst of pop loveliness, something that the album had been lacking a bit up until now. Well and truly an epic fist-pumping tune that got us fangirling again.
Better Than Words
The standard edition of the album ends with ‘Better Than Words’, which definitely leaves the album on a high note. We can’t help but hear a bit of a ‘Kiss You’ vibe in there, with the screeching ‘a’woo’s. And all I have left to say is that it really is better than words.
Why Don’t We Go There
Kicking off the additional songs on the deluxe edition, is this ridiculously catchy, up-beat tune. 1D are going for pop-rock again with this one, with a bit more pop. But, that’s what we love, isn’t it?
Does He Know?
‘Does He Know’ welcomes One Directions’ usual style of songwriting, with a real feel-good tune. Although it’s not a stand out track on the album, it’s slightly more memorable than others and could’ve possibly made a good cut for the standard edition.
Alive
Not too sure about this one, it’s seems a bit lack-lustre. It’s nothing like what we’ve ever heard from One Direction before, yet it doesn’t stray from the sound of typical 80s rock songs. I appreciate that they’ve gone for a more ‘rocky’ sound, but instead of modern rock it sounds like they’ve gone the opposite way.
Half A Heart
One of the better deluxe tracks, a nice soft lighters-in-the-air ballad to slow things down. I could think of a few songs from the main album which would suit better being swapped with this one, as this definitely deserves a place higher up in the track list.
Overall, ‘Midnight Memories’ is definitely my favourite One Direction album yet, and it’s no wonder that the album has stole the no.1 spot in over 100 countries. We always expect great things from One Direction, and this new album definitely lives up to expectations – if not exceeds them.
The album showcases 1D’s writing skills more than ever, and it’s evident that they’they’ve had a more prominent influence on creating the album. Credit to One Direction for showing their maturity through their new music, and paving the way for future albums.
‘Midnight Memories’ showcases One Direction at their best, and we can see them growing up and taking us on that journey with them. The album is well and truly amazing, and it’s going to be tough for the boys to try and top it with their next album!
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The post One Direction’s Midnight Memories Reviewed – “The 3rd Album That Exceeds All Expectations” appeared first on OneDirection.net.