In news that at this point wasn’t shocking to absolutely anyone who pays even the slightest amount of attention to One Direction’s music, the boys have released the second single from their upcoming album “Four”, a ballad called “Infinity”. Since the release of their very first single, 1D have been on a yearly release schedule so regular it’s begun to feel like the changing of the seasons – inevitable, whether you like it or not. Taking a page out of Rihanna’s book, the British boy band has released a new album every single year since their debut with the first high energy single released in the beginning of the latter half of the year, and a mellower mid-tempo song or ballad following close behind a couple of months later.
Their latest offering, “Infinity”, much like their release schedule seemed like more of the same old. When Little Things was released the acoustic, intimate feel of the song was perfect for teenage girls everywhere who desperately wanted to know Liam, Harry, Zayn, Niall and Louis as intimately as was appropriate – or probably not so appropriately too, lets be honest. Story of My Life wasn’t as much of a ballad – it had a lot of energy – but still showed a softer side of the boys and in a different way than the previous years offering had. Night Changes moved slightly into less original territory but held up by being a genuinely good song, and wasn’t hampered by things feeling a little too formulaic – though these feelings were definitely to come. Their very first ballad single, “Gotta Be You”, was held back and didn’t chart well worldwide due to One Direction not quite being established enough yet to really carry a ballad convincingly enough.
“Night Changes” carried hints that One Direction were getting to the end of their creative thread, and “Infinity” proves this beyond a doubt. There’s nothing original or new from the boys displayed and as a result the song sounds incredibly flat and boring. I think Zayn chose exactly the right time to leave the group, because even his heavenly voice couldn’t have lifted One Direction from the grave they’ve dug themselves by being so unwilling to move away from their comfort zone in terms of sound and release schedule. Zayn’s departure injected some much needed drama and excitement into a group failing to grasp the attention they once held so effortlessly.
The break that One Direction recently announced they will be taking couldn’t have come at a better time, they either need to rest and come back strong with new ideas, or break up for good and let the phenomenon that was 1D rest in peace at last.
4/10
XOXO,
Joshipgirl
Joshipgirl 