One Direction released their last album with all five members in November 2014. Titled Four, the album showcased a more mature sound as each group member had writing credits. The record featured real-life romances and songs like “Stockholm Syndrome.” The success of Four marked the end of an era for the boy band and changed things for One Direction fans forever.
The formation of One Direction on The X Factor in 2010 led to the global phenomenon that they became. Their debut album, Up All Night, featured pop hits like “What Makes You Beautiful.” The following albums, Take Me Home and Midnight Memories, showed the band’s slight maturity and ability to experiment with sound, with Midnight Memories incorporating a more rock influence and personal lyrics.
Four, released in 2014, marked the band’s biggest shift in sound. The album received mixed reviews but was praised for showcasing their most mature sound. The title seemed insignificant at the time of release, but it became more impactful after Zayn Malik’s departure from the group in March 2015. The remaining four members went on to release one more album, Made in the A.M., before going on an indefinite hiatus.
Fans regarded Four as the band’s best album, while critics had mixed opinions at the time of its release. Rolling Stone gave it three out of five stars, noting the growth shown through the music, while Billboard referred to it as an “awkward phase” for the group. Malik’s departure from the band changed the course of One Direction, leading to their final performance on December 31, 2015, before pursuing solo careers.
Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Liam Payne all embarked on solo careers after the group’s hiatus. Malik was the first to release solo music, followed by Styles, Horan, Tomlinson, and Payne. Unfortunately, Payne passed away in October 2024 at age 31. His death was not ruled a suicide after an investigation. The legacy of One Direction lives on through their solo careers and the impact they left on fans worldwide.
