Having sold a total of 70 million records worldwide, One Direction is one of the best-selling boy bands of all time, released five studio albums, ten extended plays, seventeen singles (including two charity singles), two video albums, and seventeen music videos.
In a watershed moment in 1D history, Zayn Malik bailed on The X Factor’s dance segment because dancing made him feel weird. He eventually returned to the stage, but not before establishing a precedent: One Direction was a boy band, one of the most successful in pop history, but that didn’t mean they were going to dance. Whatever crazy things happened around them—95,000 fans packed into a South African soccer stadium, the Directioner who forced his way into Liam’s hotel room to steal his boxers and wear them around for a day, a shrine to where Harry got sick on the side of the LA freeway—the boys maintained an approachability that made them seem a little different. The silly videos, the way they laughed in interviews, Harry sitting behind Rihanna at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards and casually peeling an orange. (It’s an orange!) So, yes, a big show—but also five kids who won the lottery of life and were just as much a part of it as everyone else.
Of course, they knew how to write for their mostly female, mostly adolescent fans. More importantly, they made a point of treating their mostly female, mostly teenage fans with respect, bringing a sense of allyship to pop stardom that felt both refreshing and necessary. Reflecting on their success during the group’s hiatus, Harry would wonder why teenage girls’ tastes weren’t taken as seriously as, say, middle-aged men’s. Was there ever a more intense or committed love than that of a teenage girl?
Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson formed the London group in 2010 as a bunch of also-rans on The X Factor, finishing third to little fanfare. What they lacked in polish, they made up for in camaraderie, coming across less as a well-oiled machine and more as five guys who could gel without losing their individual personalities. They were already famous by the time they released their debut, 2011’s Up All Night, filling a void in the pop landscape left by the breakup of *NSYNC a decade earlier. Take Me Home was released a year later, to the month.
Midnight Memories, released in 2013, saw the band gain confidence, reconciling teen sheen with arena rock and Fleetwood Mac-style pop—a sound that bridged the moment with something more timeless. (It should be noted that they usually wrote or co-wrote their own songs, a departure from the conveyor-belt image of boy bands that made them all the more appealing to fans.) Between 2014’s Four and 2015’s Made in the A.M., Zayn Malik left the group, and the rest of the lineup announced their own hiatuses, with a final performance on New Year’s Eve 2016.
“It was like we were in our own little bubble and everyone else was outside,” Niall told Apple Music in 2019. “We were just a bunch of young lads having a good time.” I didn’t overthink it. I was just enjoying it for what it was.” So, if you are a die heart fan of One Direction Albums then check out here we have list of One Direction albums in order of release so far.
One Direction Albums Available on: Apple Music
All One Direction Studio Albums in Order by Year
1. All up Night (2011)
Up All Night is the English-Irish boy band One Direction’s first studio album. It was released by Syco Records in Ireland and the UK in November 2011, and then it came out everywhere else in 2012. The lyrics on the album are about being young, being in relationships, heartbreak, and being strong. The album had four singles, and “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Gotta Be You,” and “One Thing” were all in the top ten on the UK Singles Chart. With 4.5 million copies sold worldwide, the album was the UK’s fastest-selling debut album of 2011. It also got mostly good reviews from modern music critics. Many of them liked how the album combined melodic songwriting with catchy, pop-oriented material that was well-produced but didn’t have the commercial cynicism and adult contemporary posturing of some of their ’80s and ’90s predecessors.
2. Take Me Home (2012)
As a follow-up to One Direction’s internationally successful debut album Up All Night (2011), Take Me Home is the fourth-global-best-selling album of 2012, selling 4.4 million units, released on 9 November 2012. The album’s songs are characterised by metronomic pop, vocal harmonies, hand claps, prominent electric guitar riffs, bright synthesizers, a homogeneous sound and message, and rotations of lead vocals. With the album’s lead single, “Live While We’re Young”, “Little Things”and “Kiss You”, Take Me Home garnered mostly positive reviews from music critics.
3.Midnight Memories (2013)
Midnight Memories is the third studio album by English-Irish boy band One Direction, released on 25 November 2013. The album became the fastest-selling album in Amazon UK history. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, making One Direction the first group in history to debut at number one in the US with their first three albums. The album was supported by four singles “Best Song Ever” “Story of My Life”, the album’s title track, and “You & I”. Upon its release, Midnight Memories received mixed reviews from music critics and publications. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 59, based on 15 reviews, indicating “mixed or average reviews.
4. Four (2015)
Preceded by two singles, “Steal My Girl” and “Night Changes”, the fourth studio album by English-Irish boy band One Direction, Four (stylized as all caps) released on 17 November 2014. Both hit songs achieves platinum status in the US, and scoring the band their tenth and eleventh UK top-ten hits. The album received generally positive reviews from music critics. According to the IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry), Four was the sixth best-selling album of 2014, with 3.2 million copies sold worldwide. The album – Four was the sixth best-selling album of 2014, with 3.2 million copies sold worldwide.
5. Made in the A.M. (2015)
“Made in the A.M.” is the fifth and final studio album by the English-Irish boy band One Direction. The album was released on November 13, 2015, by Syco Music and Columbia Records. It features a blend of pop, rock, and folk-inspired tracks, showcasing the band’s growth and maturity as artists. The album includes hit singles such as “Drag Me Down” and “Perfect,” which topped the charts in multiple countries. It received positive reviews from critics, who praised its songwriting and production. The album marked the end of an era for One Direction as they announced an indefinite hiatus shortly after its release.
All One Direction Video Albums in Order by Year
1. One Direction: Up All Night – The Live Tour (2012)
One Direction’s “Up All Night – The Live Tour” album captures the energetic and dynamic performances of the band during their 2012 world tour. With hit songs like “What Makes You Beautiful” and “One Thing,” the album showcases the group’s signature pop sound and the infectious energy that made them a global phenomenon.
The album features live recordings of 18 of their most popular tracks, including “Gotta Be You,” “I Want,” and “Up All Night.” The band’s vocal harmonies are on full display, and their rapport with the audience is evident throughout.
Overall, “Up All Night – The Live Tour” is a must-have for any One Direction fan or anyone looking for an upbeat and fun pop album. The album perfectly captures the excitement and enthusiasm of the band’s live performances, making it a great addition to any music collection.
2. One Direction: Where We Are – The Concert Film (2014)
One Direction: Where We Are – The Concert Film Album is a live album that features recordings from the British-Irish boy band’s Where We Are Tour. The album includes live performances of some of One Direction’s biggest hits, such as “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Best Song Ever,” and “Story of My Life.” The concert film was recorded during the band’s performance at the San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy in June 2014.
The album was released in December 2014, and it received positive reviews from critics and fans alike. It debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and the Billboard 200, making it One Direction’s third consecutive number one album in both countries.
Overall, One Direction: Where We Are – The Concert Film Album is a must-have for any One Direction fan or anyone who loves pop music. The album captures the band’s energy and charisma as performers, and it serves as a testament to the incredible talent and passion that made One Direction one of the most beloved boy bands of all time.
One Direction Albums In Order of Release Date
Here is the list Of One Direction Albums in Order of Release Date:
One Direction Studio Albums:
Up All Night — 18 November 2011
Take Me Home — 9 November 2012
Midnight Memories — 25 November 2013
Four — 17 November 2014
Made in the A.M. — 12 November 2015
One Direction Video Albums:
1. One Direction: Up All Night – The Live Tour — 28 May 2012
2. One Direction: Where We Are – The Concert Film — 1 December 2014
Conclusion:
One Direction released a total of five studio albums during their time as a band, including Up All Night, Take Me Home, Midnight Memories, Four, and Made in the A.M. These albums showcased the group’s evolution from a fresh-faced boy band to a mature pop act, and their musical style ranged from catchy bubblegum pop to heartfelt ballads. One Direction’s albums were immensely popular, with each one debuting at number one on the charts and selling millions of copies worldwide. Their music will continue to be enjoyed by fans for years to come.
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