‘The Show’ album review: Niall Horan’s third release is his finest, most experimental yet
- Former One Direction member dives into themes like love and anxiety as he enters his 30s
- ‘Heaven’ explains the importance of appreciating the little things, while the album’s titular track details the Irish singer-songwriter’s time with the popular boy band
Niall Horan performs on NBC’s “Today” show at Rockefeller Plaza on Friday, June 9, 2023, in New York City. Photo: APReleased on June 9, Niall Horan’s The Show is his third and finest album. Throughout his 10-song tracklist, the 29-year-old dives into themes like love, anxiety, and his personal evolution as he heads into his thirties.
Horan’s newest album is more experimental than previous releases, the One Direction alum said in an interview.
“When I wrote my first album, I was 22 or 23. I think things change, life changes, you grow up, you want to be more experimental,” said the Irish singer-songwriter.
The album opens with lead single “Heaven”, released on February 17. Its cascading harmonies and singalong chorus help Horan delve into the importance of life and why we should appreciate the little things.
Another single released before the album dropped was “Meltdown”, an encouraging story about Horan’s experience with anxiety that the singer described as a “good summer jam”. In the track, Horan assures the listener that he will always be there for them no matter what happens, singing, “When it all melts down, I’ll be there”.
Upbeat and catchy, “If You Leave Me” and “Save My Life” are breezy summer tracks about falling in love.
Good Riddance review: Gracie Abrams’ debut album full of raw vocals and confessional songwriting
“If You Leave Me” details the fear of losing a loved one through lyrics like “Promise that you’ll stay this close” and “Hope you know that you’re sentencing me to a life on my knees”. The fourth track, “Never Grow Up”, is more reminiscent. Horan uses the line, “Hope we grow old, but we never grow up,” to evoke a sense of nostalgia and express his wish to hold on to the most important things about being young, no matter how old he gets.
The album’s titular track, “The Show”, takes a unique perspective on Horan’s career. During the chorus, Horan reflects on his time with One Direction with the lyrics: “How to fix your tears? How to fake a show? How to paint a smile? How would we know?” He compares life to a board game and a dance, adding, “It’s all fun and games until the party ends”.
“You Could Start A Cult” is a romantic tune about following a loved one anywhere they go. It implies the person he loves holds a captivating power over him and could even “start a war” with “two kingdoms fightin’ over you”.
“Teddy Bear” is a sweet K-pop track that feels like a regression for STAYC
Horan rounds off the album with “Must Be Love”, a heartfelt song that explores complex themes of vulnerability, self-discovery and the power of affection.
Meanwhile, “Science” is a sweet, uplifting melody with an emphasis on the piano. The lyrics show his support for people dealing with mental health issues, reassuring them that when they feel overwhelmed, “it’s just science”. The tune is full of self-reflection and emphasises the importance of not letting life break you down.
Horan concludes the album with a simple yet effective message to listeners: no matter what life throws at you, your past experiences have made you powerful enough to overcome any obstacle. It’s a great message to kick off the summer.
