Niall Horan 'Heartbreak Weather' Album Review: A sultry genre-crossing journey of the romantic and funky self
Niall Horan fans need to grab their nearest support beam as his new album, 'Heartbreak Weather', is now out. Horan fever can officially fire up again or should we say, fire up more, as the new album is sure to grip its listeners as an instant success.
The new sophomore studio LP follows 'Flicker' which released as the 26-year-old Irish heartthrob's debut in his solo career. Since his One Direction departure, Horan has seen massive success along with his former bandmates and in 'Heartbreak Weather' we can confirm that he is only just beginning.
Horan has won a multitude of awards since 'Flicker' released, including 'Best New Pop Artist' and 'Best Lyrics'('Slow Hands') for iHeart Radio Music Awards in 2018, 'Best Male Artist' for Radio Disney Music Awards in 2017 and AMA's 'New Artist of the Year' in 2017, to name but a few.
The new album is sure to throb your heart with its carefully arranged compositions blanketed beneath beautifully rich recording, lush instrumental work, and delivered with the charming yet strong vocals of Horan's amazing voice.
In a quick sidestep from the lyrics, (don't worry, we will embrace them soon) let's take a moment to appreciate the craft that reveals how truly talented Niall Horan is.
'Heartbreak Weather' stands out as a perfect mix to soothe the soul at every change of weather, be it in nature or metaphorically-speaking, listing a well-rounded ratio of warm, sultry, melancholic and energetic songs. Even some funky numbers cheekily enter in betwixt the 14-track album's many romantic songs.
The LP's opening and title track sets itself apart from Horan's usual musical take, coming as a sort of contemporary '80s new wave/pop song with playful tropic-spirited guitar licks and vibrant synths that would be the perfect song to play first on a romantic island holiday.
Seventies disco gets a passionate makeover with songs like 'Small Talk', 'Cross Your Mind' and 'New Angel' while songs 'Black And White', 'Bend The Rules', 'Arms Of A Stranger' 'Everywhere', and 'San Francisco' treat fans to the sublime pop power that Horan is commonly famous for.
In the mid-tempo ballad 'Dear Patience' Horan sings "Feels like you don't even know me. Just me and the stars can get lonely" in the pre-chorus and we get an idea of the depth of the singer's introspective examination of self before singing verse 2, which sums up the theme of the song well.
"Dear patience. If I pour my heart out, can you keep a promise? 'Cause the situation. Is like a mountain that's been weighing on my conscience. If I'm being honest", he sings.
In 'Bend The Rules', we get a taste of guilty pleasure with a song that intimately transposes a theme of innocence upon the listener as Horan gently sings "I'm not sayin' that you're lyin'. But you're leavin' out the truth. And I'm not sayin' that you're guilty. 'Cause I don't have any proof. Feelin' like I'm goin' crazy. And I don't know what to do. 'Cause on paper, you don't break them. But it hurts so bad the way you bend the rules."
It is clear Horan is a passionate singer. Although mostly aligned as romantic songs for women, Horan's relatable emotions and lyrics show that male listeners may find solace in them as well.
In 'Put A Little Love On Me' we get lyrics: "We fight we get high holding on to love. We came down 'cause there was nothing holding us. Is it wrong that I still wonder where you are. Is it wrong that I still don't know my heart" and are reminded that revealing vulnerability in relationships may not be such a bad thing after all.
In 'Arms Of A Stranger' the lyrics "It feels like it was only last week. I was trippin' right into your heart. If we're not gonna do this honestly. Baby, won't you give me back what you took apart?" reveal the notion that relationships are indeed a two-way street.
The album's final song 'Still' comes in tandem with the applause we want to give after listening to the rest of 'Heartbreak Weather'.
The song's title plays as an inspirational contrast as the emotionally-charged track is sure to move you, with powerfully romantic energy that bursts and expands as it goes, breaking the earthly plain and leaving the listening experience nothing less than spiritual.
You can purchase or listen to 'Heartbreak Weather' on Niall Horan's official website here.