Athena Sobhan

Hello hello!! Welcome to blog post two! WOO!  As some of you may or may not be aware, One Direction’s new album Made in the AM has finally come out, and as a 1D fan, I decided to dedicate my second blog post to sharing my thoughts on each of the tracks, the boy’s vocals, and the album as a whole.

I am going to be rating each song out of five stars and bolding my favorite tracks on the album as well.  I am not a music expert so just bear with me (and if any music experts do read my post and I say something incorrect, you can go ahead and let me know).  

Hey Angel 4.5 Stars 

I have heard this is Clouds 2.0, which I can definitely hear, however I don’t fully agree.  This song reminds me of Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve mixed with a psychedelic vibe (especially at 1:40-1:48).  HARRY SOUNDS AMAZING ON THIS!!! The harmonies between all the boys on this are on point and it literally sounds like angels (cheesy, I know).  This is a really solid way to start the album, and the song lived up to its hype especially with Harry tweeting out lyrics to this song.  

Standout Lyrics: Hey angel/Do you know the reasons why/We look up to the sky/Hey angel/Do you look at us and laugh/When we hold on to the past

Drag Me Down 3 Stars 

When I first heard this, I was in the car, driving back from the fair with my best friend around 10:30 PM and it suddenly came on the radio without warning… let’s just say there was lots of screaming of shock and confusion, smacking my friend in the arm too many time (I feel bad about that… I’m sorry) and I almost got in an accident (oops :)).  At first listen, I actually wasn’t a huge fan of the song.  However, after playing it several times, it grew on me.  Its catchy as hell and it pumps me up when I’m working out, but its still not my favorite. NIALL SOUNDS AWESOME IN THE CHORUS WOW!! Harry’s high note also may have slayed me (it did).

Standout Lyrics: If I didn’t have you there would be nothing left/The shell of a man who could never be his best/All my life/You stood by me/When no one/else was ever behind me/All these lights/They can’t blind me/With your love, nobody can drag me down

Perfect 4.5 Stars

Yes. Absolutely yes.  I love everything about this song and it was a great pick for their second single since it fit well with the sound Drag Me Down had.  If I had to describe the perfect (lol) pop song, it would be this.  The song is well balanced and is awesome to jam out to when getting ready for the day (it needs to play on the radio more like???? STOP PLAYING WHAT DO YOU MEAN EVERY OTHER SONG RADIO).  I really like the beginning part of the song with the soft guitar and then it leading into Louis’ soft vocals, which worked really well.  Niall’s and Harry’s solo was probably my favorite part of the song.  

Standout Lyrics: I might never be the hand you put your heart in/Or the arms that hold you any time you want them/But that don’t mean that we can’t live here in the moment/’Cause I can be the one you love from time to time/And if you’re looking for someone to write your breakup songs about/Baby, I’m perfect

Infinity 4 Stars 

This song screams ZAYN. ZAYN ZAYN ZAYN ZAYN.  This song makes me miss Zayn so much and really reminds me how much the boys we’re all affected by Zayn’s departure.  This song makes me think of a high school montage where all the friends are about to leave for their senior year and its the last hoorah at the beach (idk why…).  I really enjoyed it at first listen, the harmonies, once again, are on point and Harry’s high notes continue to slay me.  

Standout Lyrics: How many nights does it take to count the stars?/That’s the time it would take to fix my heart/Oh, baby, I was there for you/All I ever wanted was the truth, yeah, yeah

End of the Day 3.5 Stars 

At first listen, I was a bit iffy about this song.  I think the lyrics are awesome and it has a really great message about love and the inherent risk that comes with admitting romantic feelings for anyone, but at the end of the day, love is love.  I’m not a huge fan of the inconsistent tempo throughout the song, but I am slowly getting used to it. SINCE WHEN CAN LOUIS SING HIGH NOTES LIKE THAT???  

Standout Lyrics: Just me, her, and the moon/I said you’re on fire babe/ then down came the lightening on me/love can be frightening for sure/is you love who you love there ain’t no other way 

If I Could Fly 5 STARS 

I am… Speechless.  This song make me cry. I AM CRYING AS I WRITE THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!  The fact that the instrumentals are not overwhelming makes allows the lyrics to shine, because they are the STAR.  After the bridge, the boys alternating singing the chorus and that has to be one of my favorite parts, especially the high note, that I think Harry sings, but I am not 100% sure (2:40-3:05).  Harry wrote this song and HARRY WHAT BEAUTIFUL LYRICS YOU HAVE BESTOWED UPON US!!!! HARRY SHINES IN THIS SONGS JUST LIKE HIS LYRICS.  The most intimate song on the the album, full of raw emotion and venerability that is evident in all of their voices.  I would love to hear Harry talk about the writing process for this song because I feel like this song gives a look inside Harry’s beautiful mind.

Standout Lyrics: If I could fly, I would be coming right back home to you/For your eyes only, I show you my heart/For when you’re lonely and forget who you are/I’m missing half of me when we’re apart/Now you know me, for your eyes only

Long Way Down 4.5 Stars

This song is has such a calming vibe to it.  This is something that I could imagine someone playing at a bonfire or towards the end of an evening with friends.  When I listen to it, I can imagine myself floating through a cloud and just chilling out.  Liam’s vocals stand out a lot in this song.  He always had a strong voice, but I feel like this song really shows its strength in this song.   

Standout Lyrics: We sailed the ocean/And drowned in the waves/Built a cathedral/But we never prayed/We had it all/Yeah/And we walked away

 

Never Enough 5 Stars  

When this song came on, I literally started smiling and didn’t stop smiling. This song makes me think of Michael Jackson’s The Way You Make Me Feel music video where Michael is trying to impress the girl.  The “c’mon’s” are literally the best part of this song.  Everyone basically sounds amazing in this song and all I want to do is strut down a busy road, all-powerful and ready to break some hearts (also if anyone knows which one of the boys is saying c’mon I would like to know cause I would like to talk…)

Standout Lyrics: Wanna drive till the end of the Earth and go over the edge/Lips so good I forget my name/I swear I could give you everything

Olivia 5 Stars 

When I first heard this song, all I could think of was God Only Knows by The Beach Boys.  Olivia is a really great tribute to the psychedelic music and that misty and dreamy feel that God Only Knows provided in the song with a One Direction twist.  It’s a really great, upbeat song with clever lyrics and awesome vocals to back it up 

Standout Lyrics: When you go and I’m alone/You live in my imagination/Summertime and butterflies/All belong to your creation/I love you, it’s all I do/I love you

What a Feeling 5 Stars 

FIREPROOF 2.0!!! This song totally screams 80’s, specifically Fleetwood Mac. I imagine sitting by a fire with my significant other and just being together. This is yet another song where we hear how well the boys’ voices compliment each other and how well they sound together.  Overall, I just really love the sound and the vibe that goes along with the song.  

Standout Lyrics: But you’ve got stars in your eyes/And I’ve got something missing tonight/What a feeling to be a king beside you, somehow/I wish I could be there now

Love You Goodbye 4.5 Stars

The break-up song that makes me feel the pain of breaking up with my significant other… even when I haven’t even been in a relationship before (lol).  The most notable part of the song are the instrumentals.  I really loved the strings presented in this song AND ANOTHER LOUIS HIGH NOTE??? EXCUSE ME???? This song is probably could have been the saddest one on the album… but If I Could Fly took that prize… damn I’m still crying from that song.  

Standout Lyrics: I know there’s nothing I can do to change it/But is there something that can be negotiated?/My heart’s already breaking, baby, go on, twist the knife

I Want to Write You a Song 5 Stars

This is another simple song with minimal instrumentals to really appreciate the boys’ vocals.  This song is a play off of a combination of Blackbird and Yesterday by the Beatles.  The song makes me feel as if I am actually sitting with 1D and watching them write songs together, and just chilling out with them   The soft writing sounds are a lovely touch to a very lovely song.  

Standout Lyrics: I want to write you a song/One that’s beautiful as you are sweet/Just a hint of pain/For the feeling that I get when you are gone/I want to write you a song/I want to build you a boat/One that’s strong as you are free/So any time you think that your heart is gonna sink/You know it won’t

History 5 Stars 

ZAYN ZAYN ZAYN ZAYN!!!! I don’t care what anyone says, this entire album is dedicated to the fans and Zayn.  It’s no secret that 1D have had a rough year with losing Zayn.  It was tough for fans, but I definitely know it must have been worse for the other boys.  This song is not only a beautiful ode to Zayn and their time together as a five piece, but a thank you to the fans that stuck with them.  They even included fans to be backup vocals (I guess my invite was lost in the mail).  

Standout Lyrics: Keep getting the feeling you wanna leave this all behind/Thought we were going strong/I thought we were holding on/Aren’t we?

Temporary Fix 5 Stars 

I knew this album was missing something and this song was what it was missing.  What a great rock tune to jam out to.  I saw the video where Niall was talking about how he got inspiration from Sex on Fire (another jam of mine) and I 1000% see it.  CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW WILD HARRY WOULD BE ON STAGE IF THEY PERFORMED THIS LIVE?  The only other thing I have to say is NIALL YOU DIRTY DIRTY BOY!!! DIRTY DIRTY DIRTY!!! 

Standout Lyrics: The night is on your lips and I feel like I’m locked in/There’s a million eyes, I don’t care if they’re watching/Your body is saying everything, I don’t have to read your mind/Feel you on my neck while I’m calling a taxi/Climbing over me while I climb in the backseat/Now we’re taking off, now we’re taking it off tonight

Walking in the Wind 5 Stars 

Harry was aiming towards a Paul Simon inspired song and that’s exactly what was delivered.  This song really showcases how well all of the boys’ voices work together and compliment each other.  Also, Harry’s vocals really shine as well as his lyrics in this song. 

Standout Lyrics: A week ago you said to me/”Do you believe I’ll never be too far”/If you’re lost, just look for me/You’ll find me in the region of the summer stars/We had some good times, didn’t we?/We had some good tricks up our sleeve/Goodbyes are bittersweet/But it’s not the end/I’ll see your face again

Wolves 5 Stars 

Okay, so I may (or may not) have heard this song when it first leaked… (I did, but that’s not the point).  The instrumentals sort of remind me of a silent cowboy movie (which would be, an AWESOME music video idea for this song you know?  With all the boys dressed up as cowboys and all that and a lot of slapstick humor?  MAKE THIS HAPPEN).  Still not sure how I feel about the premise of the song, which is fighting off dudes checking out their girl in a bar, but the song is catchy and its a lot of fun.  

Standout Lyrics: In the middle of the night when the wolves come out/Headed straight for your heart like a bullet in the dark/One by one, I gotta take them down/We can run and hide, ain’t goin’ down without a fight/And my heart keeps fighting in this battle of fools/Gotta make it through, gotta make it through

AM 5 Stars 

The FINAL SONG (on the deluxe version).  What a perfect way to wrap up this album.  A song about the end of a great evening out and the conversations that occur after everything has wound down (and yes, the best conversations happen in the AM ;)).  It i a really great way to end not only the album, but an important chapter in their careers.  I feel like this is one of the more intimate songs on the album (second from If I Could Fly) and I couldn’t imagine any other song more perfect for ending this album.  

Standout Lyrics: All my favourite conversations/Always made in the A.M/Cause we don’t know what we’re saying/We’re just swimming round in our glasses/And talking out of our asses/Like we’re all gonna make it

Made In the AM: 4.6 Stars 

Each of the boys are equally impressive on all of the songs, especially Louis and Niall, who both have massively improved over the last five years, and with especially the fact that we started with not hearing Louis and Niall on Up All Night to having Louis high notes (I still wanna chat about that Louis) and dirty songs by Niall (DIRTY DIRTY).  

Liam was always a strong singer in the band, but the way he experimented with his voice on this album was impressive and I feel bad that I didn’t talk too much about Liam, but I think he was phenomenal on this album.  

And, of course, Harry.  Harry literally shines on this album.  He shines so much I feel like I need to invest in some more shades…bad joke I’m sorry (not really).  Harry’s self confidence is really reflected through this album, especially through his vocals.  He really opened himself up to the world and I am so so proud :’) 

They have proven to everyone that they are as strong as a four piece as they were as a five piece band.  Do I miss Zayn?  Yes 1000%, and I bet everyone else does, just like the boys did probably when making this album, but I am just happy everyone else involved is happy.  

Harry, Louis, Liam and Niall, if you ever read this, I wish you all the best on your well-deserved break and can’t wait for what’s next for you all 🙂