Culture

Album Review: ‘Made in the AM’ by One Direction

Jacqueline Taeubel, Campus Life Writer
November 20, 2015

On Nov. 13th, One Direction released their highly anticipated fifth album, ‘Made In the A.M.’

The band, made up of Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, and former member Zayn Malik, who left in March, were put together as group after auditioning as single artists for X Factor UK. After placing second in the singing competition, the band went on to release their first album ‘Up All Night,’ followed by ‘Take Me Home,’ ‘Midnight Memories,’ ‘FOUR,’ and finally ‘Made In the A.M.’ The new album is not only One Direction’s first album as a foursome, but also the first album in which they were heavily involved in the writing process.

‘Made In the A.M.’ features 13 tracks (the Deluxe Edition includes 4 bonus tracks) of upbeat pop songs like “Perfect,” “Never Enough,” and “Drag Me Down,” songs heavily influenced by the Beatles and Fleetwood Mac. Tracks like “Olivia” and “What A Feeling,” come across like simple folk songs.

Much different than the boys’ four previous albums, ‘Made In the A.M.’ completely encompasses their new sound, a sound that is more similar to their musical influences. In addition, the new album also shows off each member’s vocal abilities even more than the other albums, as the loss of Zayn Malik allowed them to take on new vocal roles. Harry Styles puts on a great vocal performance in “Hey Angel,” Louis Tomlinson in “Love You Goodbye,” Liam Payne in “Long Way Down,” and Niall Horan in “Never Enough.”

‘Made In the A.M.’ was a highly anticipated album not only because it was the boys first without Zayn, but also because it was their last album before their well deserved two year break. Fans depressed over the news of One Direction’s hiatus will no doubt have this album on repeat in order to console themselves for the next two years until they return.

“Made In the A.M.”