Louis Tomlinson has finally come out with his first solo studio album since he and his fellow bandmates of One Direction decided to, ironically, given their name, go their separate ways. The other band members (Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, and Liam Payne) have all released solo albums since what I refer to as “the incident,” so I’m glad Tomlinson could finally join the party.
I used to be the epitome of a “Directioner,” but I must admit I have not kept up with all of them equally. Choosing a favorite member would be like a mother choosing a favorite child, and, regardless of how guilty I am, I have definitely chosen Styles. Styles has been the most popular and successful in the mainstream media since the breakup. I haven’t heard many of the other members’ work nearly as much as Styles’, but that doesn’t mean they’re not equally worthy of our time.
Tomlinson’s new album, “Walls,” has a very similar sound to One Direction. Instead of breaking down the walls, Tomlinson seems to be trapped inside them. I enjoy hearing artists discover new sounds and listening to how their music has changed over time, but Tomlinson’s familiar style isn’t a crime.
“Walls” begins with a dash of angst in “Kill My Mind,” a song about a toxic relationship. In the chorus, he sings, “you kill my mind / raise my body back to life / and I don’t know what I’d do without you now.”
For a song with imagery of the devil infiltrating his brain, the emotion behind the lyrics is underwhelming. The classic Britpop vibe and the clean harmonies make the song feel very safe.
“Two of Us” slows down the album with a heartbreaking ballad about the death of a loved one. This song was very personal for Tomlinson, as his mother passed away in 2016. A week after releasing the track, his 18 year-old younger sister died of a heart attack. Tomlinson sings how even though he misses them, he knows he’s not alone. The lyrics read, “I know you’ll be looking down / swear I’m gonna make you proud / I’ll be living one life for the two of us.” This song is heartwarming and highlights that our friends and family who pass away live on through the continued lives of their loved ones. “Two of Us” is one of the few songs on the album that unquestionably feels sincere.
The songs “Don’t Let it Break Your Heart” and “Defenseless” have catchy hooks and really bring a heaping dose of nostalgia to the album. They’re the type of wholesome love ballads that make you want to turn your phone flashlight on and wave it in the air. Both songs also have a calm but driving beat that you can jam to.
Any album can afford a few cheesy lines, but Tomlinson brings out a whole charcuterie board of lyrics. We’re over halfway through the album and still waiting for the main course. The song “Perfect Now” is too cheesy and seeks to capitalize on nostalgia. The first verse starts out with the lyrics, “you say to me your jeans don’t fit / you don’t feel pretty and it’s hard to miss / I wish that you could see my point of view / as someone starin’ back at you.” In the chorus of the song, Louis reminds us to keep our heads up because “not all queens wear crowns.”
I feel like I’ve heard this song before. We all have; it’s the classic message of old favorites “What Makes You Beautiful” and “Little Things.” They might have been cute years ago, but now I find them a bit disheartening. They’re all centered on the idea that we can only find confidence and worth in romantic partners. It’s 2020! I always love a good compliment, but we don’t need anyone else to tell us we’re beautiful as if it’s a ground-breaking discovery on their part!
Overall, it’s not a ground-breaking album, but it’s solid. If you miss the sound of One Direction, then I definitely recommend a listen. Regardless of popularity in the media, I’m glad to see Tomlinson and the other former One Direction band members still creating music and doing what they love.
Leave a Reply