As you “Directioners” know, One Direction’s fourth album, FOUR, was released on November 17th. So, I took it upon myself to review this tremendous album. Here are my thoughts, word by word, chorus by chorus, live writing my first time listening to this CD. Let the listening commence!
1. “Steal My Girl”
Admittedly I have already heard this song, but of course it’s the first song of the album so I have to listen to it. I am only thinking about Danny DeVito, though, since he was in the amazing production that was the music video. Not to be dismissed, though, of the fact I would let anyone take me from a One Direction member (I am talking to you, Zayn). All in all, it’s a strong song to start the album off with. It pulls the listener in!
2. “Ready to Run”
Thank you Harry for starting this song, I am already swooning. I hope they realize that I am completely ready to run with them. I have my sneakers already tied to run with them. I am slightly imagining riding in a jeep during this song with my hair down, and Harry’s man bun coming out. I cannot help but to dance to this song, even if it’s in my seat; I feel the need to raise my hands up.
3. “Where Do Broken Hearts Go”
If I thought I was dancing in the song before, I am out of my seat pretending like I know the words to this song. I think it is a sign I only hear Harry’s voice, he is speaking to me and he is attempting to find me in this song, I will make it easy: I am in Pittsburgh, Harry. If you want to a song that you and your roommates jump onto couches singing, this is the song. I will reiterate though: Dear One Direction, I AM IN PITTSBURGH.
4. “18”
First seemingly slow song of this album; however it’s Harry (sorry for the repetitiveness but, really, you cannot blame me). Ok, this song is incredibly adorable, I can completely relate (sort of). I can see my friends and me singing this song whilst in the middle of a car ride, and that is all I ask from a slower song. It is also incredibly cute and makes me want to look out of a window and think about my high school days.
5. “Girl Almighty”
Once again, I am dancing in my seat. Harry, I do not understand what more you want from me; obviously, I love you. If I was in Hillman, my cover would be completely blown because I am absolutely dancing right now, although I am not sure what the lyrics are, the beat is absolutely too catchy to NOT dance.
6. “Fool’s Gold”
This is another slow song off the album, and it is quite good. I must admit, at this point I checked my phone (although I bobbed my head). I could see this song being in a concert and you just turn on your phone flashlight feature and just sway to the music.
7. “Night Changes”
This song is a bit slow, but I enjoy it a bit better than Fool’s Gold. It is a bit faster than the one before, but it also invokes a feeling of thoughtfulness (i.e. looking out a window and thinking about what life is about). Louis ,OMG, your voice is absolutely exquisite, I cannot deal with it. Dear Harry, you drive me crazy, not how “fast the night changes”; if you are reading this, I love your man bun. Now Zayn is singing to me; I do not think I can ever have a clear favorite in this group (just kidding — Zayn).
8. “No Control”
This is a bit faster, but I am not entirely dancing to this song. It seems to be one of those songs you bob your head to whilst studying (although the chorus is a bit loud to really “bob” to). As the song progresses though, I just want to dance, but not as much as previous songs. The one thing I am thinking about is watching them perform this in concert, and how amazing it would sound to hear their voices harmonize in person.
9. “Fireproof”
This is their first song they released from their album! Although, when they first released this song, I was entirely unimpressed because they usually put out faster songs as their first singles. But from where it is in album, I genuinely like it. It’s a bit slower, but it’s the perfect song to sing to your girlfriends whilst driving in a car and its placement in the album is perfect. It doesn’t draw you in (as I assumed it would when it was first released) but it is a good example of how good their voices are.
10. “Spaces”
This song is absolutely amazing. I can completely relate to this, so I am biased, but I love it still. Their voices are amazing, and I love the lyrics. It makes me realize how much these “teeny boppers” changed throughout the years. Last year, my favorite song was “Through the Dark” because it spoke to me at the time, and this album this song might be the one that speaks to me (although this is completely subjective).
11. “Stockholm Syndrome”
My friend has been telling me how amazing this song is, so I am anxious to listen to this song to the end. I hear it is a “jam” so I am trying to prepare myself. After all the slow songs before, my anticipation is rising! If you hold out until the chorus, you can completely see why this song is a jam! I just want to dance to this (this time with a comb in my hands and into a mirror). This is one of those songs that you never want to end; it just makes it better than Harry wrote this (about me…).
12. “Clouds”
This transition was very good; it was a fast song going into a faster song. It seems as though the listener could be “sleeping” but this song brings them right back. The background music to this is a bit louder than the voices, but I can still jam (without really understanding what they are saying). This also seems a bit more auto tuned, which makes me sad because the song before was so strong.
13. “Change Your Ticket”
This song took a bit to get into. I have high hopes that it will turn up quite good, since the whole album has been, thus far. This song, so far, seems to fit into the “Clouds” category; it just seems like filler, it is not a strong song. It is not that type of mature boy band song (yes, it is possible) but it is not exactly teenybopper either. Obviously, though, Zayn, I would always change my ticket to (never) go home; do not be absolutely ridiculous. This song is super catchy but I cannot relate to the lyrics at all, since I did not pay attention to them.
14. “Illusion”
This song brings me back to the album. I want to listen to lyrics to this song; the beat is extremely catchy and makes me want to listen to exactly what they are saying. I want to dance and know the words to this song, although it is the first time I am listening to this, but at the same time I want to hear their beautiful voices serenading me this song. I could also see this song in the middle of their concert where you dance, but you do not completely deplete your energy jamming.
15. “Once In a Lifetime”
This is a continuing thought from the song before, but, seriously, these guys are about the same age as me but accomplishing seemingly much more than me (though they didn’t get that B on a chem test). That thought sort of coincides with this song, because it seems as though they are doing much more than I am with my life at this point.
16. “Act My Age”
I like the beginning of this song. It seems that Niall is doing an Irish Dance right in front of me. It makes me want to buy clogs and dance with him. If it was appropriate for parties, it seems this would be the anthem for college parties (chug your beer, all of you…). I already decided to repeat this song as to solidify the fact that I am college, and Irish dancing is amazing. Also that whistling… Harry, once again I hear your voice and I get the message.
All in all, this album is absolutely amazing and I am already relistening to it, as I will for a while. I would recommend it to anyone that asks/doesn’t ask. Although it still contains that teenybopper elements (probably to make the record company happy), it still evokes a more mature feeling, where you see the band getting older and truly coming into their status as the reigning boy band kings (sorry, Backstreet Boys, I still love Millennium…).
Also: A reminder of the Harry Styles Man Bun.