Review: Niall Horan takes a well deserved bow on his new album ‘The Show’
Irish singer-songwriter Niall Horan – famously known for being 1/5 of One Direction – commands his audience on his latest album, The Show. Following his 2017 debut Flicker and his 2020 record Heartbreak Weather, The Show feels fresh and new, while still containing the elements of Horan’s previous work that we all know and love– the makings of great pop hooks mixed with honesty, vulnerability and emotion throughout.
The Show’s predecessor, Heartbreak Weather, could arguably have been Horan’s greatest era of solo music so far, and then the Covid-19 pandemic forced everything to come to a halt. With hits like “Nice To Meet Ya” and “No Judgment,” Horan was ready to embark on a world tour when suddenly his entire album campaign came crumbling. Instead of taking pandemic-forced solitude to sulk, Horan instead took advantage of the unexpected free time to get back into the studio to write his next album. The result: The Show, Horan’s most vulnerable and mature songwriting to date.
Pulling back the curtains on The Show, the album opens with lead single “Heaven,” a track about a love so strong that it feels better than Heaven itself. Continuing the love story, “If You Leave Me” is the perfect blend of Michael Jackson-esque pop production on top of confessional lyrics. “I’m too deep / swimmin in your sea” he declares. Horan takes a sharp turn with “Meltdown,” released in April, a track that explores the frenzy of anxiety.
On the album’s title track, “The Show,” a cinematic showpiece and the arc of the entire record. “Hold tight, get ready for the ride” he croons on the pre-chorus on a track dedicated to living life to the fullest. “You Could Start A Cult,” is a sweet, intimate love song that would fit perfectly between Taylor Swift’s “Sweet Nothing” and Death Cab For Cutie’s “I Will Follow You Into The Dark” on a solo road trip playlist. Another standout on the album is “Save My Life,” an exultant 80s-inspired confessional complete with jubilant horns and swoon-worthy lyrics. “It’s just science / don’t let it break you down” he croons on “Science,” a track offering hope to someone dealing with depression. The album closes with “Must Be Love,” an uplifting yet candid track about embracing his flaws and trying not being so hard on himself.
The Show is Horan’s magnum opus. It embodies everything that a pop record should– a mix of perfectly written tracks that will make you get up and dance, tracks that are designed to make you feel, and songs that will force you to reflect. Beautifully and thoughtfully titled The Show, Horan takes center stage on this album, a place he’s rightfully earned.
Stream The Show HERE.