Heartbreak Weather is the second album from X-factor contestant and One Direction member turned solo artist Niall Horan. Originally from Ireland, he auditioned for the X-factor at the age of 16. Instead of getting cut as a solo artist, Niall was combined with four other contestants including a teenage Harry Styles. These five boys would go on to be one of the highest-selling boybands of all time, One Direction. After One Direction broke up, the artists started releasing their solo albums. Niall Horan’s first album Flicker was a massive success, creating hit songs like “Slow Hands” and “This Town.” I personally enjoyed the songs and they reminded me of many of the songs from One Direction. However, with his second album, Niall was able to create his own sound. 

Heartbreak Weather is a pop album that incorporates some elements of pop rock and indie. It consists of 14 tracks including 5 singles and the title track. Here are the highlights on the album in my opinion…

Heartbreak Weather:

The title track and single did not disappoint. With an indie pop style production and a unique concept created a phenomenal song. Niall describes his love life as being disastrous like a season of bad weather, or “Heartbreak Weather.” The chorus is catchy and he compares the romance in his life to bad weather that will not get better. The bridge is amazing as he claims his new lover has saved him from “Heartbreak Weather.” The line goes “Now all the clouds have been lifted. Lately, my heart’s been so empty. But it feels different when you’re with me.” Overall the song was one of the best on the album.

Black and White: 

Another single of this tracklist is titled “Black and White.” Niall is convinced his current girlfriend is the one he will end up with. He says in the chorus “Yeah, I see us in black and white. Crystal clear on a starlit night. In all your gorgeous colors. I promise that I’ll love you for the rest of my life.” The production has more of a rock influence with subtle guitar. Later in the song he describes his life with this woman after they got married and got old together. Overall this is a very sweet romantic song about marriage.

Everywhere:

This is my personal favorite song on the album. It is about how he has broken up with his lover and now he sees her everywhere even if she is not. I love the production throughout the entire album as I feel it incorporated the best parts of pop, indie, and rock. But “Everywhere” is my favorite because I find it the catchiest and most typical pop song.

Honorable Mentions

-Still

-New Angel

-No Judgement

While this album charted well in the U.K. it is disappointing to see that it did not really become popular in America. I can confidently say Niall Horan is the most underrated pop artist I listen to and, sadly, he does not get the recognition he deserves. Personally, Heartbreak Weather was one of the best albums in 2020. He is currently on tour for his new album which includes some songs from Heartbreak Weather. I hope this tour can draw attention to his music and I hope you love this album as much as I did.

-Janna G.