I really respect how he channels Alex Turner in his swagger-filled verses, then leans back in the chorus to let the early 2000s pop-rock vibes really shine. He's definitely matured since his 1D days, and while I loved him then, I'm really here for where he's at now.Īhlgrim: I heard this song when it was released as a single back in November, and it immediately became my favorite of Horan's solo songs. Aside from the title being an obvious introduction, this track shows off Horan's vocals in a way that samples both the familiar and the foreign. Larocca: The verses on "Nice to Meet Ya" make me think Horan is just doing his best Hozier impression (not including the bridge, when he switches back to sounding like his old One Direction self, albeit with an early-2000s pop-rock twist.)Īs a lead single, this was a solid choice. "Nice to Meet Ya" was the lead single for "Heartbreak Weather." I spent the entire song tapping my foot and bobbing my head, which is a feat in my book. Somehow, the second chorus hits even harder.
"Small Talk" starts slow enough, but the chorus introduces a twangy guitar riff that's quite simple but works incredibly well. Yes, I'm aware I still have nine more songs to go.Īhlgrim: So far, I'm super impressed by Horan's ability to craft a song that gets better and better as it goes on. But this song proves he really should have had more of the spotlight during his time with the band. I had no idea that One Direction's hiatus would be such a good thing for Horan. Larocca: Just when you think you've figured out how this song is going to go, bam! He hits you with what I'm already confident enough to say is the most exciting moment on the album: an unexpected beat drop paired with a vocal performance that's confident and dare I say. "Small Talk" is the fifth song on "Heartbreak Weather." I definitely didn't expect to hear so many different instrumental layers, but it worked super well. The echoey bridge and orchestral outro were both lovely touches. I also love a song that continues to expand and swell and doesn't settle for one sound. I love a song that surprises you halfway through. The plucked-guitar beginning is sweet, and Horan's voice sounds great, but it would've gotten old by the end of the second chorus.
I know it wasn't intended to be consumed this way, but I do like it more as an ode to waiting out your anxieties in the age of self-quarantining, honestly.Īhlgrim: When the drums kicked in for the second verse, I literally gasped. I think he sounds great and I love the addition of the tambourines in the latter half of the track, but it doesn't really grab my attention. The lines "Just me and the stars can get lonely" and "Can you see that I'm anxious" are a little too on-the-nose for me right now, someone who is social distancing and working from home by myself for an undetermined length of time.īut in the spirit of giving Horan's album a fair shot (outside of the social context it found itself being released in), I will say this song is just fine. Larocca: OK, now I see why Horan was worried about the timing of this album. "Dear Patience" is the third song on "Heartbreak Weather." It works well as an opener, especially since it feels very arena-friendly. Like many people, I'm working from home and need music right now.)Īhlgrim: As someone who loved One Direction but never listened to Horan's debut album more than once, the title track of his sophomore effort immediately reminds me of "Four" and "Made in the AM" - especially melodic, guitar-heavy tracks like "Hey Angel," "Clouds," and "Change Your Ticket," which are some of my favorites. Horan may have joked that his timing of this album wasn't the best in light of a recent global pandemic, but it's already shaping up to be the kind of music I will gladly add to a coronavirus playlist. Sure, it could be because I attach him strongly to his upbeat, happy One Direction image but also the refrain "All of my life it's been heartbreak weather / Thinkin' to myself, it won't get better / It can be so lonely in this city / but it feels different when you're with me" really is the kind of sunshine-y, feel-good optimism we could all use right now. Once I got to the chorus, I was pleasantly surprised to find out Horan's thesis statement isn't a breakup anthem, but rather a love song. Larocca: I hit play and was immediately hit with that searing opening transition, followed by what can only be described as Netflix rom-com background music (that's not a bad thing.) The first couple of lines were a bit unintelligible - Niall, enunciate! – but he quickly found his groove. "Heartbreak Weather" is the first track on the album. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders.
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