Introduction

In early 2021, when half the world was still taking COVID-19 seriously and the other half were pretending it never happened and wasn’t happening, I started listening to One Direction. And 5 Seconds of Summer. And eventually BTS. My mind wanted something fun and simple and easy to consume: the pop/rock boy band.

At this point, along with the pandemic still taking a toll, my life was in a period of extra upheaval, and I figured out a fun way to (not) deal with it was to review the solo and side projects of current and former boy band members. I would get a little tipsier than usual, open up Spotify and Genius lyrics, and start live-tweeting my reactions. Lately, I’ve been missing doing these little one-person listening parties, but not enough to get a new Twitter account (er, X account, I guess).

And here we are. I’ve retrieved my Boy Band Music Critic hat from the back of my closet. Before I can wear it again, however, I need to readjust it to make sure it fits. So before this year is over, I’ll be going over my old tweets and consolidating them here so I don’t have to do repeat reviews.

In this post, I’ll be tackling some of the boy band solo projects I reviewed in the summer of 2021, song by song. So buckle up, it’s gonna be a long trip through the (mostly) unedited thoughts of 2021 Ryn.

Flicker by Niall Horan (reviewed June 25, 2021)

I pretty much only know two songs from Niall Horan (“Slow Hands” and “Nice to Meet Ya”), and I honestly couldn’t tell you what his voice sounds like. But he always seemed so cheery and optimistic (while in 1D), so I’m excited to get into his first album!

“On The Loose”: “On the Loose” is giving me “my girlfriend’s a werewolf” vibes for some reason… But this song is super catchy, I gotta admit.

“This Town”: “Waking up to kiss you and nobody’s there” feels similar to the lyric “Nothing wakes you up like waking up alone” from Louis Tomlinson’s song “Walls.” Man, these 1D guys are good at performing breakup songs that make me emotional even though I’ve never been in a romantic relationship.

“Seeing Blind (feat. Maren Morris)”: Ooh, a collab! 2023 Ryn still loves a good collab. Not sure who Maren Morris is but she’s got a great voice. This has a folk rock vibe to me, which surprised me for some reason. This is just kind of a cute, fun song. And the way their voices mesh, ugh! Beautiful.

“Slow Hands”: I only remember “Slow Hands” vaguely from, like, 2017 and I didn’t like it initially, so let’s see… I think my favorite part of this song is every time there’s a “woo!” 2017 me and 2021 me clearly have different music tastes. And 2023 Ryn has different music taste than the both of you! This is a song where the vibe and lyrics match perfectly (a.k.a. sexy but in a way that seems like the people involved are soaking it in). “Sexy but soaking it in?” What exactly does that mean, 2021 Ryn?

“Too Much To Ask”: Um, is “Too Much to Ask” gonna make me emotional? “My shadow’s dancing / Without you for the first time.” Yes, I am emotional now. Damn it. Why do these unrequited love songs hit me so dang hard? Because you’re dealing with a huge collective trauma, 2021 Ryn. Although, I can’t deny that I still sometimes gets emotional listening to unrequited love songs.

“Paper Houses”: The lyrics of “Paper Houses” make me think of the dollhouse city in The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern. “And our paper houses reach the stars / ‘Til we break and scatter worlds apart.” This is a really beautiful song. I’m starting to deduce that a main theme of this album is the loss of a loved one (probably a partner). Just call me Sherlock Homeboy Band Critic. Yes, that’s right, 2023 Ryn has the same cringey humor as 2021 Ryn.

“Since We’re Alone”: Okay, “Since We’re Alone” starts a bit peppier musically. A nice little ode to vulnerability and intimacy with some cool ’60s/’70s guitar. The lyrics feel like a more mature version of 1D’s “What Makes You Beautiful.”

“Flicker”: The title track, let’s goooo!!! I always assume this is the artist’s favorite song. Oh, no… acoustic guitar, light percussion, soulful singing, and bittersweet/hopeful lyrics about when the ease of a relationship is lost but you haven’t given up hope. 😢

“Fire Away”: NH is really good at songs that both feel and sound gentle, which match the common theme of urging a partner to be vulnerable and trust the relationship. “Fire Away” is another guitar ballad with this theme and it fits well with the other songs. “And I will steady your hand / When you’re losing your grip.”

“You And Me”: Awww, “You and Me” is like a childhood love story. Like, we’re gonna evolve in the same direction eventually, but we might need to wait a little bit before we get there. I’m working on myself, but not quite there yet. (The lyrics kind of remind me of the Howl’s Moving Castle movie.)

“On My Own”: Having a song called “On My Own” after a song called “You and Me” can’t be an accident. A bit similar in lyrics (though more folk rock) to “Miss You” by LT. “I’ll drink ’til it’s empty / Stay out ’til it’s dead.” Also, don’t even try to tell me this isn’t a mood: “And if you ask me around / And I should decline / Don’t take it to heart / Your company’s fine / But I get on better with mine.” An introvert’s ballad if I heard one. I agree with 2021 Ryn. These lyrics are definitely ~a mood.~

“Mirrors”: “She feels her skin touch the floor” is like a lyric out of a twenty one pilots song. Songs about the loneliness that comes with suffering always hit me hard. Especially since this song details a moment of kindness from a stranger that can make a huge difference. “Mirrors” is my fave song by far, both in the music and lyrics. It gets more upbeat at the perfect times and is a bit more slow and melancholy when necessary. The mixture of the two make the music and lyrics fit so well.

“The Tide”: “The Tide” brings the whole vulnerability/tenuous relationship theme to a head. The inevitability of a relationship washing away and the desperate need to cling on because there are still feelings there.

Final Thoughts: Niall Horan found a sound and held on tightly. Many of these songs are guitar ballads that get more dramatic/upbeat as the song goes on, which I like. I think all the songs sound a bit too similar for me to say I love the whole album, but the songs themselves pair lyrics and sound super well. And NH’s voice is way more smooth than I thought it would be for some reason… definitely some grit there, but generally gentle music.

“Our Song” by Anne-Marie and Niall Horan (reviewed June 25, 2021)

I’m going a bit out of chronological order, but I’m super curious about “Our Song” because YouTube keeps suggesting it to me, so I’m also gonna listen to that today.

“Our Song”: Aw, I love this song! It’s a bit more pop than NH’s other songs and super catchy. It reminds me of two things: 1. “Our Song” by T Swizzle (translation: Taylor Swift), and 2. The essay “New Partner” from John Green’s new book, The Anthropocene Reviewed, which is about that one song that can bring you back to pivotal moments in your life.

Misc. Singles by Louis Tomlinson (reviewed June 29, 2021)

I missed a song when I was going through Louis Tomlinson’s music. “Just Like You” slipped through the cracks… The cracks in the wall? Eh? Get it? His album is called Walls? Sorry, 2021 Ryn, back to you. So I’m gonna listen to it now to rectify this situation.

“Just Like You”: A. It’s sad that he felt he needed to write a song reminding people that he’s human, too. It always baffles me when people see celebs only as celebs, not as fellow humans. Like, yeah, obviously life circumstances make a difference, but people are people. B. “I’m just like you, even though my problems look nothing like yours do.” Something to keep in mind just for everyone, yeah?

“Copy of a Copy of a Copy”: Okay, YouTube has made me aware that I’ve missed another one, though in my two seconds of research, I’ve determined it’s only played in live sets. And because I’m looking for any distractions from my current distress, we gon’ listen to another one.

Out of all of LT’s songs, this one has the best lyrics AND a guitar solo AND it’s a “you’re not alone in your pain” song. It captures how it feels so comforting and also so heartbreaking to realize you’re not alone in your feelings. SO GOOD. Also, there’s a Bojack Horseman episode in which he calls himself a “Xerox of a Xerox” when speaking of his life as an addict. So there’s that connection, too.

Final Thoughts: God, I love YouTube recommendations. Next time I feel like doing this without committing to an album, I’m gonna explore the songs that Mr. Harry Styles only plays live. The Internet has its downfalls, but it’s helping me pretend I’m at live shows, so I’ll take it. *Queues up “Welcome to the Internet” by Bo Burnham.*

Heartbreak Weather by Niall Horan (reviewed July 16, 2021)

“Heartbreak Weather”: This is already more fun than the last album! I hate to make the comparison, but it sounds a bit like it could be a 1D song? But it’s a fair comparison, 2021 Ryn! The lyrics feel much more sincere and introspective: “All of my life, it’s been heartbreak weather / Thinkin’ to myself, it won’t get better.”

“Black And White”: “Black and White” is so cute. I’ve noticed that NH likes to frame his love songs around cliches, like seeing color when you find love or the whole “you’re the light in the darkness” thing. But the songwriting is already so much more dynamic in terms of music on this album.

OMG, something was nagging at me while I was listening to “B&W” and I finally got it: It sounds like a T Swizzle song! She would do a great cover of it… Agreed, 2021 Ryn.

“Dear Patience”: “Dear Patience” has this singer-songwriter, melancholy tone. And, you know, I can never listen to too many songs about anxiety and other emotions. Aren’t all songs in some way about emotions, 2021 Ryn? Just say you like music! “Hey, can you show your face? / Can you see that I’m anxious? / Can you hear what I’m saying?” Also, the bridges in these songs have been bootiful so far.

“Bend The Rules”: NH is one of those people who have completely different speaking and singing voices… Also, “Bend the Rules” is so sad. Bad communication and lying in a relationship when one side still cares so much and the other person doesn’t give a fuck always gets to me. Everything “got to me” or “hit me hard” in 2021.

“Small Talk”: Summary of “Small Talk” in six words: Skip the foreplay; straight to sex. It’s even got a groovy background and is firmly in the “songs to have sex to” genre. (I think… to be perfectly honest I’m just saying this because it compares to other songs people say have this vibe.) Update: I have a “sexy songs” playlist now, in this the year 2023.

“Nice To Meet Ya”: Ooh, we got some French up in here in “Nice to Meet Ya.” Remember when I tried to learn French? That was a whirlwind failure. This song is super catchy. Am I sucker for songs that have humming parts in them? Yes, yes I am. Don’t forget whistling parts, 2021 Ryn! Whistling is always fun in a song.

“Put A Little Love On Me”: I can picture this being a ballad playing during a scene in which a character is reminiscing about a past relationship with, like, a montage or an imagined dance sequence (’cause that’s a surprisingly common thing in movies). Is it really that common? Yes, minor key! Come through!

“Arms Of A Stranger”: The pre-chorus of “Arms of a Stranger” has a really familiar melody to it for some reason… it’s gonna bother me now! Actually, a lot of these songs have tripped some wire in my brain. Like they sound familiar but I can’t quite place why. Maybe because Niall Horan’s songs all sound similar.

“Everywhere”: I feel like “Everywhere” is a song I would have heard in the 2010s and secretly bopped to (yes, I was a snobby alt kid who “only listened to alternative music”). I’m not the hugest fan of the clapping beat on top of the somewhat jaunty acoustic guitar picking, but the pacing on this one is much more my speed.

“Cross Your Mind”: The vocals at the beginning of “Cross Your Mind” actually made me jump lol. This and the previous song have some island/ocean metaphors, which I always enjoy. Though this one is a deceiving bop—I’m bobbing my head along with it but it’s about a toxic relationship. I’ve never understood the songs that are like “You hurt me in so many ways and leave me in pain but it’s worth it because I love you,” but maybe that’s just my lack of relationship experience. It just doesn’t seem like something to glorify, ya know?

“New Angel”: Rebound song! Lots of the lyrics (and lyrics of previous songs, tbh) are kind of like Shakespeare quotes. Meaning there’s lots of double entendres. Like every other pop song about love and sex, 2021 Ryn.

“No Judgement”: “No Judgement” literally has almost exactly the same intro and beat as the previous song. At least space them out, man! Though this one added a bit of a reggae melody, and the relationship seems a bit healthier. Everyone’s honest about the status of their situation.

“San Francisco”: Back to a cute song. An “I regret the things I did that ended our relationship, please give me a second chance” story. Not a big fan of the repetition of the word “up” in the bridge. Feels like it should be in a different song because it’s a bit percussive.

“Still”: So far,”Still” is the most cohesive song on this album, and I think it’s because it sticks with just being a guitar and vocals ballad. (There’s a little extra business going on, but it’s not overwhelming.) And the bridge in this song… ugh! A+

Spoke too soon; there’s a drumbeat now. It’s actually kinda nice, building to the climax of the song. I like that the album ends with this. It’s kind of an acceptance song. The other songs are about distractions and regret, but this one is just emotion, plain and simple.

Final Thoughts: The songs are slightly more varied, though there are still some that are super similar. The lyrics don’t vary too much from the same theme (being sad about the end of a relationship). However, more songs from this album are making it onto my playlists, and I really do think “Still” is a beautiful song. A perfect album ender. Plus, “Nice to Meet Ya” is one of the catchiest songs ever. I have a feeling it’ll be stuck in my head. A fun album with a couple bangers!

I actually remember “No Judgement” the most. Perhaps its similarity to “New Angel” kept 2021 Ryn from enjoying it, but this is one that I can still sing in my head, which is more than I can say for most of these songs.

“Finally Free” by Niall Horan, from the Smallfoot Soundtrack (reviewed July 16, 2021)

Last up from Mr. Horan (at the time of reviewing) is the song “Finally Free” from the movie Smallfoot. I have not seen this movie, so I can’t comment on how well it fits into the story, but here we go!

“Finally Free”: Okay, first impressions: major Ed Sheeran vibes that veer sharply into Avicii vibes. Um… I love this song? It’s definitely a Pixar film song, but it’s also just an adorable song about a supportive relationship/friendship. Wasn’t expecting an adventure song from NH.

Favorite Lyrics: “Yeah, the first step’s the hardest when you’re walking into the unknown / It’s been dark, and it’s been cold / Had my head in the clouds never knowing what lies down below.” This is a much less negative way to describe how I’ve been feeling lately.

Conclusion

This wraps up what 2021 Ryn has to share for today. To be honest, I really don’t listen to any of Niall Horan’s music anymore. It’s a bit too mediocre to be memorable for me. Although, you should take this with a grain of salt, because I listen to lots of mediocre pop punk. See you next time! *Tips Boy Band Music Critic hat in your direction.*

-Ryn PB