NEW ALBUM: One Direction - Take Me Home

With their “sophomore” album being released worldwide this Friday, I thought I’d jump on the opportunity to have my review up before then for those of you who are still unsure about pre-ordering / ordering.

Seeing as the boys let us listen to the entire (standard) album on iTunes this week, I thought I’d use the preview to really listen and write up what I could while I could about the album.

So, here we go!

Live While We’re Young

I don’t really need to say much about this song considering reviewed it when it was released. So I’ll just put the video here (along with the link to my review) for you to enjoy!

Kiss You

This song has got a very 90s vibe in its accompaniment and in the dynamics of the vocals. The lyrics are very witty and it’s one that will get you up on your feet dancing. This is where the name of the album comes from – it’s in the chorus – and it’s so much fun to listen to.

Little Things

This is their current single (written by Ed Sheeran), and is like the slower version of What Makes You Beautiful – lyrically. Although the vocals are amazing and I love the stripped-back acoustic touch to this song, I’m in to minds about this song. On one hand, it shows off the boys’ voices a lot more than any other song on the album – or ever – but on the other hand, it’s a typical Ed Sheeran song. There’s nothing that says One Direction about this song – much like, I Want, was typically McFly in Up All Night, but this point definitely comes down to your preference. I love this song, I’m just not sure if it’s a One Direction song. (Your call.)

C’mon, C’mon

This has an 80s-Madonna-esk feel to it and the lyrics resonate with Stole My Heart in Up All Night. It’s one of those feel-good songs that makes you want to dance and belt this song out along with the boys.

Last First Kiss

This is one of my favourites on this second album; it’s about falling in love with a friend and trying finding a way to tell them. It’s about wanting be “the one” for that special friend and making sure that past relationships don’t matter because you’re here now; it’s a promise of forever. It’s one of the slower tracks on the album, but it’s not slow enough to slow dance to, it’s one you belt out.

Heart Attack

Picking up the pace again, this is a track with a Busted-like sound to it. It’s really playful with it’s lyrics and the “aw!’s” just give it that extra bounce. It’s really poppy and is definitely one you’ll see along and dance too.

Rock Me

Paying homage to the iconic Queen classic, We Will Rock You, this song is one you will definitely get rock-neck with. Although I really like the overall sound of this song, I’m not sure if the lyrics are being suggestive, you know like the ABBA song with the same title? But I like that the lyrics say, “Summer of 09”, it’s really showing their era as a band and bringing everything to the now.

Change My Mind

Slowing things back down again, I think this is my new More Than This – i.e. this is my favourite track on the album. It’s about falling in love, but you’re not sure if they feel the same way. I love the pre-chorus and the chorus and the dynamics of the accompaniment and vocals are just beautiful. Love it.

I Would

Another one that I love – and not just because it’s written by Tom Fletcher! I love it because the boys really own this song; the only trace of McFly here is the theme of the song. Resonating with McFly’s number one single, Obviously, this song is about having a crush on someone who’s already got someone and knowing that you can’t have them. It’s cheeky, fun and fresh; it’ll get you up on your feet.

Over Again

And coming back to the acoustics, this song has got a very Usher vibe, minus all the techno beats. The boys are almost rapping rather than singing in the verses and the climax that comes in the choruses are just brilliant with the combination of their vocals. Easily another one of my favourites.

Back For You

Bringing the tempo back up, this song reminds me of an advert, why, I don’t know, it just does. I don’t really like the chorus, because once they get to the “you” there’s a little screech with the higher pitch that comes with the word, nevertheless I love the overall progression of the song. You’ll definitely bang your head to this one too.

They Don’t Know About Us

I love this song too! This is the typical boy-band sound that I grew up with. It reminds me of Backstreet Boys’, As Long As You Love Me, or All 4 One’s, I Swear, in terms of vocal dynamics and how the accompaniment just let’s the voices reign. It’s just nostalgic for those who grew up in the 90s really.

Summer Love

It’s the bittersweet goodbye to your summer love, kind of like Grease’s, Summer Lovin’, in terms of the theme, but at a slower tempo. It’s a good song to end on (for the standard version) lyrically and musically, because it’s got this feel of longing to sing a little bit longer, but knowing that you can’t because it’s the end – this season is finished, but you’ll always have the memories (or go on to the next track of the deluxe version :P). Overall, great ending song!

Deluxe Version Tracks:

• She’s Not Afraid
•  Loved You First
• Nobody Compares

Overall:

It’s definitely better than Up All Night. I really do believe that One Direction have honed down on their sound and know exactly what they want in terms of being a ‘pop’ act. They’re voices are just fantastic in regards to melodies and harmonies, as well as leading and supporting each other in each track. I love the fact that EVERYONE has their own parts in each song on this album – you can actually hear Louis and Niall a lot, which is awesome, because now, for those of us who didn’t see them on the X Factor (UK) two years ago, we get to really hear the voices that got them through in the first place! As a whole, the tracks work so well with each other and the overall sound is just great. It’s an album that brings what was to the now. It’s just brilliant.

sL Star Rating: 4 Stars

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