Like many other girls in their twenties, the shocking news of Liam Payne’s death catapulted me back to my directioner days, leading me into a deep dive of their work. Before too long, I was absorbed in One Direction TikTok, Twitter, and Reddit. Of course I have followed Harry Styles’ solo career (who hasn’t?) but suddenly I was discovering that all ‘the boys’ (as we the fandom lovingly called them) have a labyrinth of their own solo material. Here is some of One Direction’s solo material you have to check out…
Louis Tomlinson
If you like One Direction’s discography then why on earth are you not listening to Louis Tomlinson? With 38 writing credits for the band, it is no surprise that many of Louis’ solo songs have a similar sound to One Direction. A late arrival to the solo scene, Tomlinson spoke candidly in his 2023 documentary All of Those Voices about life after the band’s shock split in 2015, describing the breakup as “another loss”, saying he was “absolutely gutted” when the band split.
On the topic of All of Those Voices, this is my favourite of all of Louis’ work. The film is a deep-dive into Louis’ life and experiences of fame. Starting in December 2015 before One Direction’s last performance – a two-song performance on the X Factor final – Louis goes on to recount the struggles he had discovering himself as a solo artist. As the film follows Tomlinson’s 81-date world tour, the ever-humble Louis seems shocked at his success. As an OG One Direction fan, I am not one bit surprised – I’m just sad it took me this long to discover his solo material.
Since leaving the band, Louis has penned two albums – Walls (2020) and Faith in the Future (2022). His music has the rockier tone we saw in 1D’s later material, with Louis’ love for bands like Oasis shining through in his solo work. His 2016 hit “Just Hold On” is likely his most well-known song, but with hidden gems like “Too Young” and “Don’t Let It Break Your Heart” on his albums, there really is every reason to get to know Tomlinson’s tunes.
My Favourite Song: “Don’t Let It Break Your Heart”
Harry Styles
As one of the world’s most popular musicians, I don’t need to tell you why you should have Harry Styles in your rotation. A fan favourite in the band, Styles shot to success with his 2017 song “Sign of The Times”, a song which served as Styles’ turning point from 1D heartthrob to a boundary-pushing solo artist. Since then, he has had two number one albums – Harry Styles (2017) and Harry’s House (2022), with his album Fine Line (2019) narrowly missing the top spot.
A far cry from the long-haired, skinny jean clad, Chelsea boot wearing Harry from the One Direction days, Styles is now renowned for his eccentric style and colourful clothing. Much to my immense disappointment, he also chopped off all his hair in 2023… justice for the locks! Aside from that, his three Grammy Awards – including the coveted ‘Album of the Year’ tell you all you need to know. He’s even branched out to acting if you fancy seeing him in the likes of Dunkirk (2017) or Don’t Worry Darling (2022). His solo work has a more delicate tone than his 1D days, but there is certainly lots to love.
My Favourite Song: “Kiwi”
Niall Horan
If you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing Niall since 2015, I urge you to go straight to Google because my goodness has this boy turned into a man. Musically, Niall’s sound remains close to 1D’s style but matured, with his discography showcasing his talent for writing catchy, emotive bangers. Other than ditching the blonde highlights, if you liked One Direction then you are going to love Niall Horan. With two UK number one albums, Heartbreak Weather (2020) and The Show (2023), and his debut album Flicker (2017) charting at number 3, Ireland’s sweetheart has been no stranger to success. His 2017 hit “Slow Hands” is by far his most well-known work but there are more bangers hidden within the albums, with one or two nods to his Irish heritage.
Oh, and bonus points to Niall for headlining the P&J Live earlier this year!
My Favourite Song: “On My Own”
Zayn Malik
If you’re anything like me, you remember exactly where you were when Zayn announced he was leaving the band. Years on, Zayn’s R&B inspired music diverges furthest from the band’s sound, which is no surprise as Zayn has spoken publicly about establishing his own sound with his debut single “Pillowtalk”, marking the beginning of his renaissance. Since leaving the band mid-way through the On The Road Again tour, Zayn has released four albums, with his debut Mind of Mine (2016) taking the number one spot in the UK and the US.
A mysterious figure, Zayn is rarely spotted outside of his Pennsylvania ranch. However, Zayn is set to embark on his first solo tour, with the Stairway to the Sky tour starting in Edinburgh’s O2 Academy on 20th November.
My Favourite Song: “Stardust”
Liam Payne
Liam’s story is one of tragedy. As one of One Direction’s strongest vocalists, Liam’s remarkable range and powerful voice became an essential part of the band’s sound, helping define their identity and success. With a seemingly easy transition to going solo, Liam’s debut single “Strip That Down”, written with Ed Sheeran shot to number 3 in the UK charts. Moving beyond the ‘dad’ role he played in 1D, his music hinted at a more mature direction.
Liam released just one album, LP1. Reflecting earlier this year, Payne shared that he was “really excited” to be working on LP2, an album which he hoped would reflect his own unique sound. Though his passing in October has shocked the world, his discography serves as a reminder of his versatility, immense talent, and hard work. In a mere 14 years of being within the music scene, his contributions to 1D’s success and his solo material will leave a lasting impact on the musical world.
My Favourite Song: “Teardrops”
Though coming to terms with Liam’s untimely death has been tough for fans, it is a reminder to us all to appreciate the solo journeys of all of 1D. With a legacy rivalling even The Beatles, it is no surprise that One Direction continues to top the charts almost ten years after announcing their ‘hiatus’ – even if that success is a little different to how we all imagined it.
Oh and for nostalgia’s sake… My favourite One Direction Song: “Fool’s Gold”
