A little over a year after the release of his first single, “This Town,” in September 2016, former One Direction member Niall Horan released his debut album on October 20.

While the release of the record was a first listen for most fans, Horan has been traveling around the world the past three months playing live listening sessions for his fans and announced a world tour for the album next year.

The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart and marks the third One Direction member to earn a spot at the top, matching The Beatles.

While a majority of Horan’s sound is dominated by an acoustic guitar background, he still finds a way to make each song unexpected and a different sound.

Seeing Blind

“I have seen, seen it all in paper dreams


Watched it unfold on the screen


But I never understood

I have heard, have heard you speak a million words

Now you’re talking to me first

I never thought you would”

The third track features country singer Marren Morris. The two singers co-wrote the song, along with other writers. The song either describes seeing love in the movies and books, but never experiencing it in person, or loving someone you never thought would love you back. The love comes so fast they’re blinded by it. The duo’s different musical tones combined create an indie folk sound. 

Flicker

“When you feel your love’s been taken

When you know there’s something missing

In the dark, we’re barely hangin’ on

Then you rest your head upon my chest

And you feel like there ain’t nothing left

I’m afraid that what we had is gone”

The eighth song, also the title track, is the heartfelt acoustic ballad fans were waiting for. The song, from Horan’s point of view, narrates him hanging on to the relationship with his lover, but knowing he didn’t give it his all.

On My Own

“I’ll drink ’til it’s empty

Stay out ’til it’s dead

I’ll wake up at midday

And marry my bed

I’ll kiss all the women

Get punched in the head

You could offer the world, baby

But I’ll take this instead, yeah”

In the eleventh track of the album, one of the faster pace songs, Horan’s Irish roots come out. He sings about his single life and how he prefers it over being in a committed relationship.. The chorus makes listeners want to dance around with a pint of their favorite beer. I predict it takes over a Taylor Swift song as the new anthem for the bachelor life.

Though these top three tracks stand out the most, every song captures a part of Horan’s limelight life. There’s a song for everyone to cry and dance to. Horan’s debut album is definitely one to listen, especially for the fall season.