The One Direction heartthrobs broke millions of hearts in 2015. Zayn Malik left the band first in early 2015 and then a few short months later, the remaining members announced they’d be taking a break from the band. Teenage girls around the world mourned the hiatus, counting every day that passed by.

Although the band has yet to return from their hiatus, fans are getting a taste of the good old days once again. This year, each member has dropped a single, while others have even and while others released an album. “Directioners” will always miss the boyband songs, but they boys’ new music definitely makes the undefined wait worth it.

Each single gives listeners a taste of their individual music preferences, and whether the rest of the music loving population will admit it or not, the band’s members as solo artists leaves song everyone would listen to.

 

Zayn: “Pillowtalk” (March 2016)

The first, technically former, member to deliver a taste of this personality shook the music world for a few hours. Part of the abnormal reaction to the song is because Zayn includes his girlfriend, Gigi Hadid, in the spotty music video. Nevertheless, the R&B track debuted number one on Billboard’s Hot 100. While the album “Mind of Mine” following “Pillowtalk” was not as successful, the single can still be heard on radios across the country.

Niall Horan: “This Town” (September 2016)

Horan dropped his first single out of nowhere by tweeting the link on Twitter one day. The acoustic track, with a melody that makes listeners want to dance around their kitchen, debuted number one on the Billboard + Twitter Tracks Chart and Billboard + Twitter Trending 140 Chart. While Horan’s second single, “Slow Hands,” was more popular in the charts, his recent album, “Flicker” debuted at number one as well.

Louis Tomlinson: “Just Hold On” (December 2016)

The third boyband heartbreaker to drop a new song came shortly after his mother passed away in early December. Tomlinson debuted the song on X-Factor UK where the band got their start. The song features DJ Steve Aoki who lays down an electric club beat. The song was popular among fans, but the track was not a chart topper.

Harry Styles: “Sign of the Times” (April 2017)

Style’s release was probably one of the most anticipated releases from the members of the band. Styles kept his music making quiet while filming the movie “Dunkirk” in 2016 and teased his new music in early 2017. As the labeled lead singer of the group, Style’s music genre stayed a mystery until its release. His unique hit, mirroring a mixture of Fleetwood Mac and David Bowie, debuted number one on the Billboard + Twitter Tracks Chart and made the Rock-Based Alternative Songs Charts. 

Liam Payne: “Strip That Down” (May 2017)

The most recent first single release is currently the highest in the charts. The song debuted at number one on the Billboard + Twitter Tracks Chart and recently knocked “Slow Hands” off its number one spot. Payne’s hip hop track, featuring Quavo, includes a hidden dis at his time in the band and incorporates how he wants to be associated as his own person.  

There’s no easy way to rank the songs. The rating could be compiled of spot in the charts, number of times streamed, copies bought or solely on opinion. Personally, everyone has their favorite, depending on their music preferences.

Horan’s singer songwriter vibes may be exactly opposite of what R&B fans loves from Zayn. Regardless, each One Direction star created a name for themselves in the music industry and ditched the poppy boyband vibe that sparked their career.