On the Loose: Already gives me some flashbacks to some One Direction songs, which kind of worries me for the rest of the album, because I hope it’s not “One Direction’s music but this time it’s just Niall.” His performance is nice, though, and the song has a pretty catchy beat, even though the hook is kind of boring.
This Town: I like the lighter, stripped-down guitar melody on this track (kinda reminds me of “Hey There Delilah” by Plain White T’s), the hook is really sweet, and while it’s probably nothing you haven’t heard before, it’s really sweet, enjoyable, and easy to get into. As familiar as it is, I actually really like this one! I can see it being a replay-button breaker!
Seeing Blind (ft. Maren Morris): Niall tries his hand at a country-like song on this track, even choosing to feature country star Maren Morris on this one. And overall, the beat is pretty fun, both of their performances are solid, and the hook isn’t bad. Might not be a replay-button breaker, but I do think it’s a pretty good song!
Slow Hands: This one tries to be a bit more edgy/sexy than previous tracks, and regardless of whether it succeeds, it’s really funky, catchy, and fun overall. Niall’s performance is strong (I really like how he sings on the verses a lot), the hook is fun, and the beat is pretty catchy. Another one that I really like, and might end up breaking the replay button on!
Too Much to Ask: Back to the lighter ones, this one is pretty emotional, and it has a really strong hook and a great performance from Niall. I’m not sure that I love the verses as much as the hook, but I like the instrumental and I feel like this song might grow on me in the future.
Paper Houses: While I like the instrumental on this one, and I think Niall delivers a nice performance, I don’t really think the song is very exciting. There are a few decent lyrics on here, but overall, it’s just kind of boring to me.
Since We’re Alone: I like the beat on this one, and the hook is really strong. Niall’s performance is, once again, very nice, and luckily, the verses are as fun as the hook on this track. I really like this one!
Flicker: Once again, I like the lighter guitar melody on this one, I liked the overall subdued sound of this track, and the hook is pretty solid. I probably won’t break the replay button on this one, but all in all, this is a pretty good song.
Fire Away: This one feels kind of boring, from the rather generic instrumental melody to the forgettable hook and the relative lack of charisma in Niall’s voice, this is definitely one of the weaker tracks on the album. It’s not that it’s “bad,” it’s just really bland and forgettable.
You and Me: The guitar melody and overall instrumental sound on this track are really strong, I like Niall’s kind of deeper voice on the verses, and the hook is really nice. This is a really great song that I hope to listen to more after this review, and seeing as how this is the last song on the non-Deluxe Edition of the album, it’s a good way to end off if you happened to get the non-Deluxe Edition.
On My Own: Our first bonus track has a really vibrant and exciting instrumental melody, a solid performance from Niall, and a pretty memorable hook. I’m not as big on the verses on this track, but all in all, it’s a pretty fun song overall.
Mirrors: The next of the three bonus tracks isn’t terribly exciting, and it does kind of feel like an acoustic version of a previous One Direction song. The hook is okay, but the verses aren’t really that memorable. It’s competently made overall, but it’s nothing too special.
The Tide: Our final bonus track is very upbeat, and it’s got another really solid performance from Niall. The verses are pretty solid, and the hook is good as well. I won’t break the replay button on this one, and again, it does sound familiar, but I think it’s a solid song and an appropriate ending to the Deluxe Edition of the album.
Overall, I can say I’m pleasantly surprised with this album. I didn’t know what to expect out of this, but I think it was pretty solid overall. I worried at first that it was gonna turn out to be “One Direction music but just Niall,” but I think he showed on this album that he found his own voice and his own style, and he delivers some pretty solid performances across this. The instrumentals are also really fun, too, and many of his hooks are really memorable. I don’t think it’s absolutely amazing, and some people might be turned away by the fact that a lot of it sounds kind of familiar and that he kind of talks about a lot of the same things throughout the album, but all in all if you loved One Direction back in the day (and, for that matter, if you still like them now), you’ll really enjoy this. As for me? Well, I’ve never really been a “Directioner,” but I think their music is pretty good and their library features some pretty strong, memorable takeaway tracks. Same applies here: I don’t love it, but as a whole, it’s good, and there are some really good takeaway songs from this album.
Oh, by the way, don’t call him Neil. It’s Niall. Just reminding everyone.
Favorite tracks: This Town, Slow Hands, Since We're Alone, You and Me
Least favorite tracks: Paper Houses, Fire Away
Rating: Good
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