Louis Tomlinson references One Direction in surreal new music video for 'Walls' from upcoming debut album

Britpop legend Noel Gallagher, the former guitarist of Oasis has co-written the new song 'Walls' with the former One Direction singer
PUBLISHED JAN 21, 2020
Louis Tomlinson (Getty Images)
Louis Tomlinson (Getty Images)

Former One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson has just dropped the official music video for 'Walls' — the fifth and final single from his debut album also called 'Walls' which is slated for release on January 31 this year.

The upcoming album will also feature previously released singles including 'Don’t Let It Break Your Heart', 'We Made It', 'Kill My Mind' and 'Two of Us'. 

The singer took to social media on January 20 to make the announcement for the official music video — "The video for #Walls is here ! I'm so proud of this one. Being able to go to the Moroccan desert to film this was such an experience. Hope you enjoy it."

Louis Tomlinson performs onstage during 102.7 KIIS FM's Jingle Ball 2019 Presented by Capital One at the Forum on December 6, 2019 in Los Angeles, California (Getty Images)

Directed by Charlie Lightening, the new music video for 'Walls' seems to perfectly mirror the mood for the track — the gradually-shifting sand dunes of the sunlit Moroccan desert are the perfect visual backdrop for the introspective and gently-building song.

And the track is definitely as inspirational as it is aspirational, going by the lyrics. "But these high walls, they came up short / Now I stand taller than them all / These high walls never broke my soul / And I watched them all come falling down for you," sings Tomlinson in the chorus.

The song has been co-written by Britpop legend Noel Gallagher (of Oasis fame), who currently tours with the band Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.

The 28-year-old singer said earlier this week that the song 'Walls' was about "coming home having been on tour, soon after the band had split."

"I found some of my girlfriend’s clothes in the cupboard and it hit me what I'd done. I love the indie sound of the song and its circular nature – it opens and closes with the same lyric." Check out the new music video below:



 

The intriguing visuals start off in a barren Moroccan desert landscape, which the young singer walks through until he encounters a mysterious, solitary door located in the middle of nowhere and confronts his reflection in a series of mirrored panels.

The video also features Tomlinson playing a jangling acoustic guitar and sitting on a chair that is precariously perched halfway up a brick wall. The imagery becomes even more surreal as the singer enters through the strange door into a well-lit ballroom.

Tomlinson lies down in the middle of a shooting target amid dancing guests dressed to the nines, sings in front of a fiery backdrop, and later wanders through a crowd of strangers wearing masks. By the end of the song, he and his band are seen performing on a glowing platform as the sun goes down.

Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan of One Direction perform onstage during Z100's Jingle Ball 2012, presented by Aeropostale, at Madison Square Garden on December 7, 2012 in New York City (Getty Images)

Another scene definitely worth talking about features Louis taking his place next to four silhouetted young men who are seen standing in front of blinding bright lights.

While we can only see them from the back, it seems pretty clear that this image is a deliberate reference to Tomlinson's former One Direction bandmates, namely Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, and Niall Horan who have all embarked on successful solo careers themselves.

We can't wait to see how Louis Tomlinson's solo career pans out as well! His debut solo album will release on January 31.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Michael Jackson's death has been clouded with controversy, and author Randall Sullivan drops bombshell revelations about the aftermath in his book 'Untouchable'
Apr 6, 2025
Viral moments are nothing new for 'American Idol' winner Scotty McCreery, who once called out a concertgoer for hitting a woman during his show
Apr 3, 2025
"If she [Billie] ever needs me I'm going to be here for her," Justin Bieber told Zane Lowe in an interview.
Mar 29, 2025
Following Diddy’s arrest, an old clip of a rapper screaming and running away from him has resurfaced raising eyebrows
Mar 28, 2025
The model further shared that she attended Diddy's party to "see where it could take me."
Mar 27, 2025
"I feel really uncomfortable right now," replied Justin Bieber when the singer was asked to give a sex talk to a woman.
Mar 26, 2025
Shakur was also shot five times in the elevator at Quad Studios in Times Square during a robbery just two years before his murder in Las Vegas.
Mar 26, 2025
"He felt that someone was going to try and kill him," shared Lisa Marie Presley about her final conversation with Michael Jackson
Mar 24, 2025
"I loved her very much," Michael Jackson reportedly said to former friend and confidante Rabbi Shmuley Boteach in a recorded conversation
Mar 22, 2025
"90% of the time it worked," said Michael Jackson's former bodyguard while talking about the singer's tactics to manipulate the media
Mar 20, 2025