When One Direction took a “break” in 2016, fans went mad. A year earlier in 2015, Zayn Malik, a member of the popular boy band left the band to pursue a solo career in music. Later in 2016, Malik came out with a whole album consisting of 18 songs called “Mind of Mine.”
The album received mixed reviews from fans. Some fans described the album as amazing while others said it was absolute trash. There were many different views on Zayn’s new album, but most feedback was positive. When the other members of the boy band started producing new music and marketing their new solo career, fans knew the split was going to last.
Harry Styles was the first to release an album after Zayn. Titled “Harry Styles”, the album is completely written and composed by Styles. Fans loved this album, saying it shows how he has grown out of his boy band past and turned into a more developed artist. The album consists of ten unique songs. Styles released his song “Sign of the Times” before releasing the rest of the album. Fans called his first song as a solo artist “fantastic,” some fans even saying they were left “utterly speechless.”
Next, the remaining members of the now dismantled One Direction came out with singles. Niall Horan released two songs called “This Town” and “Slow Hands.” Both of Horan’s singles have a more mellow vibe with lyrics revolving around a girl. The first song “This Town” mentions a girl that he no longer sees and can’t kiss anymore. The second song “Slow Hands” is a little more upbeat than his first single and mentions how he can’t stop thinking about a girl and how much he wants to be with her.
Then, the other two members of the boy band came out with singles. Liam Payne released his single “Strip that Down” featuring Quavo, a popular American hip-hop artist. Liam’s song isn’t as original as Styles’ or Malik’s songs and sounds like a song you hear on the radio and reach your hand out to change the station.
Lastly, Louis Tomlinson the oldest member of the previously popular boy band, released two singles. Both singles featured other big artists. “Just Hold On” featuring Steve Aoki is filled with an electronic sound, unlike any One Direction song the boys had previously released. The song “Bebe Rexha & Digital Farm Animals” also has more of an electronic sound but has a beat that gets stuck in your head more easily than his first single.
In the boys’ new singles, some mention One Direction. Payne has a line saying “You know, I used to be in 1D (now I’m out, free).” I think Payne never meant this has a negative line but to say that they are all free to go solo and make their own music.
Not only have Harry Styles and the other boys made music by themselves, they have also stepped out of their comfort zones and gone to other art industries. Styles was recently in the new movie “Dunkirk,” it was released July 2017 and was directed by Christopher Nolan who is one of the highest-grossing directors in history.
The movie features actors including Tom Hardy, Harry Styles, and Fionn Whitehead. Malik also branched out and was featured on the cover of vogue with his girlfriend Gigi Hadid, she is a model for Victoria’s Secret.The fans can tell that the fight for fame between the boys is still high. But who do you think has made it the furthest?