Year after year, millions of viewers are drawn in to reality shows like American Idol, The Voice, and The X-Factor, watching competitors attempt to survive weekly eliminations for a chance at a record deal. These shows produce many popular recording artists, like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, first place American Idol winners, and Leona Lewis, a first place X-Factor winner. But still, other artists like American Idol’s Chris Daughtry, have been elminated and gained immense success. One Direction, X-Factor’s third place contestant in 2010’s season seven, is on a similar road, releasing their debut album, Up All Night to the United States on March 13, 2012.
One Direction is a British-Irish boy band, consisting of five members; Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, and Niall Horan. Their album consists if fifteen tracks, mainly about puppy love and heart break, but offers a variety of tempos and music styles, most likely influenced by the five band members collaborating on the album along with many other writers’ assistance.
The first and only single released in the United States, “What Makes You Beautiful” debuted on Valentines day 2012 and demonstrated One Direction’s appeal to their already numerous and growing supporters and their proud “Fan Girls/Directioners”. With the upbeat tempo and solos from three of the boys, this first single put One Direction on the Billboard’s Hot 100 list, previewing the successful results of Up All Night’s release. On its March 13 release date, Up All Night immediately jumped to the number one selling album on iTunes, and has maintained its place ever since.
Although it is mostly a typical pop album, some tracks offer a surprisingly deep message. The track “Moments” reminisces about childhood memories and wanting to go back to simpler times was co-written with Ed Sheeran, an award winning recording artist. Other writers on the album besides the One Direction members include Kelly Clarkson, who collaborated on the song “Tell Me a Lie”. Some of the more upbeat song on the album include the title track “Up All Night”, a soon to be party anthem that immortalizes Katy Perry.
With a rapidly growing fan base and rumors of an upcoming US summer tour before an Arena Tour in the UK, One Direction is steadily gaining radio time and media attention. Up All Night has been a success in its early days of release. Normally, so many poppy songs may get boring and repetitious, but with the different sounds and tempos brought by having a multitude of band members and collaborating artists, the album offers a variety of styles, making it overall, a good album worth listening to.
