Life is crazy at the moment. I think we can all agree on that. I know with all this social distancing and self-isolation we’re supposed to be doing, a lot of people are probably bored, lonely and feeling a little down. One thing that always cheers me up is music. So, while Niall Horan’s new album, “Heartbreak Weather”, being released during all this craziness isn’t necessarily good for press and promo, it’s definitely good for all of us who need to zone everything out. So, if you’re looking for new music to jam to, I highly recommend this album. “Heartbreak Weather” tells the story of going through the motions of falling in love and heartbreak – happy, sad and the in between. It’s a nice blend of slow, smooth and upbeat. It also shows of Niall’s growth as an artist and his range, lyrically and vocally. Keep reading for a track-by-track, totally un-biased and professional opinion averaging a 18/10. 😉 In all seriousness, “Heartbreak Weather” is a fantastic album that I highly recommend.
Track-by-Track
Lately, my heart’s been so empty, but it feels different when you’re with me.
Simply judging by the title, “Heartbreak Weather”, you’d assume this is one of the slower, sadder songs, but you’d be wrong. The lyrics are about finally finding someone who makes you feel more alive and less alone. It’s surprisingly optimistic and danceable with a hook that’ll be stuck in your head. A great way to kick off the album. 15/10
2.“Black and White”
And there’s a vision I’ve been holdin’ in my mind, we’re sixty-five and you asked when did I first know, I always knew.
Easily the sweetest song ever written about picturing your future with someone right off the bat. That bridge??? Niall Horan is a romantic, y’all. It’d make for a great wedding song since that’s essentially what it’s about. This one is a favorite of mine. It’s so cute and kind of cheesy, but in a good way. We all love a cheesy romantic song that we can dance to, right? 25/10 😉
3. “Dear Patience”
Hey, ‘cause I fall too fast and I go down blazing. Can you hear what I’m saying? Dear patience
This song is at the top of my favorites on the album as well. I love the lyrics. I love the melody, the slower tempo and that gorgeous violin instrumental to close it out. Following the concept of wanting to rush into a relationship in “Black and White”, this song is a literal letter of being patient with yourself and the relationship. Don’t screw things up by rushing. While that is the intention of the song, I kind of interpret it a little differently. Instead of relating it to being patient in a relationship, it hits a chord with my own patience and anxiety, especially that second verse. I think that’s why I love it so much. 25/10 😊
4. “Bend the Rules”
‘Cause on paper, you don’t break them, but it hurts so bad the way you bend the rules.
This is apparently just a concept song, but man… it can still hit you in feels. If you listen to it, like really listen, you might feel your own heart break a little. This is another slow song, and the more I listen to it, the more I love it. Also, this is a different vocal side I don’t think I’ve heard him sing before, and I’m really digging it. It’s different from the rest of the album, deeper and raspier. I wonder if he went that route for this song for a specific reason. Whatever it may be, good choice. 20/10
5. “Small Talk”
We’re walking on a wire, but nothing feels higher when I see that look in your eyes
Not going to lie, I was about to say something really cheesy and cringeworthy, but I’ll save myself the embarrassment and just say this is one of the sexier songs. I mean, “let’s skip all the small talk and go straight up to your room” really needs no interpretation. Keeping with the honesty here, this one isn’t high on my list. I don’t know why. I do love the beat and attitude of it, though. 10/10
6. “Nice to Meet Ya“
I wanna blow your mind, just come with me, I swear. I’m gonna take you somewhere warm, you know j’adore la mer
This was the first single from the album, and, to be honest, I didn’t love it at first. I think maybe because it’s different from the first album, and it just threw me off, I guess. I’m happy to say that it’s grown on me a lot, like most songs that I don’t like at first typically do. It, sort of, ties in with “Small Talk”, so maybe that one will grow on me too. I also understand why it was the first single. It’s catchy and upbeat, easy to sing along and dance to. It’s fun. 10/10
When the lights come up and there’s no shadows dancin’ I look around as my heart is collapsing ‘cause you’re the only one I need
Who the heck hurt Niall?? I have questions and concerns. This song is so raw and emotional and simple. It was also the second single from the album, which, is an interesting move to go from the fun “Nice to Meet Ya” to this stripped-down piano ballad, but I love it. It shows both sides to Niall’s music. Also, I’m such a sucker for stripped down songs. 25/10
8. “Arms of a Stranger”
It feels like it was only last week I was trippin right into your heart. If we’re gonna do this honestly, baby, won’t you give me back what you took apart
Whew. That whole first verse, y’all. It’s clear we’re in the “heartbreak” part of the album. Is it weird that I love these gloomier songs so much? If it is, well… too bad. Even if this song is just a concept to follow the storytelling of “Put A Little Love on Me”, I’m sure it’s still a very real experience for a lot of people. Those words gotta come from somewhere. 20/10
9. “Everywhere”
I swear it’s hard to think, it’s hard to breathe when you’re in the air
I really love the melody and beat of this one. I can just picture the arena crowds jumping and singing along as soon as the beat drops in the chorus. I wish I could afford tickets to one of the shows because this will be a fun one to sing along to. It’s a pretty similar concept as Michelle Branch’s “Everywhere” (one of my favorite songs), but the complete opposite feeling of seeing someone everywhere after a breakup verses when you’re crushing on someone and seeing them everywhere. 20/10
10. “Cross Your Mind”
Pull my heart right out my chest, drive a train through, still get up and forgive you
So, this is one of those songs that has a sad concept, but good, upbeat vibe to it. Those are always interesting to me. It’s like, here’s this really sad story, but we’re not going to think of it as being sad. We’re going to dance to it. Apparently, this one started as a piano ballad, and I’d really love to hear that. One, because, like I stated earlier, I’m a sucker for stripped versions of songs. And two, because I’d love to hear the differences and compare the feelings each give off. 20/10
11. “New Angel”
Each time I close my eyes, she’s in there running wild. I’m hoping you get her out of my mind.
This is that song for when you’re finally ready to move on. You’re tired of all the sad songs. You need a new distraction, someone to help you get over someone else. I really like the vibe of this one. The melody, sound and lyrics are really smooth. It’s not sad. It’s not happy. It’s not slow, but it’s also not fast. It’s a nice blend split right in the middle. 15/10
12. “No Judgement“
You don’t have to prove nothin’. You can just be yourself.
This is another catchy one about being able to be yourself with someone, flaws and all, no judgment. Even though it doesn’t rank high on my list in comparison, I love that it’s the current single. It has a great message to it and a nice beat. It makes a good single because it’s fun and a good hook to sing along to. 10/10
13. “San Francisco”
I wanna let all my defenses down. Scream until you hear me out. I’ll lay it on the line for you.
This one’s about missing what you once had and wanting to go back to the beginning. To when it was magic. To before it all went bad. This song also has that smooth and pretty melody. Even though the lyrics are a little sad, it kind of puts you at ease, but also in your feels. 20/10
14. “Still”
And it’s killing me that we could go to war like this, but I’m standing here with you, just trying to be honest
This song is so pretty and honest. It reminds me a lot of a few songs on the “Flicker” album with the simplicity of the production and tone. From a lyrical standpoint alone, this song is almost like a continuation of “San Francisco”. Where “San Francisco” is begging someone to take you back, “Still” is the apologizing and confessing that you’re still in love with them. Through all this emotion and “heartbreak weather”, the last line of the last song (on the regular album) is “Well, I’m still in love with you.” Whew. Great job, rounding the storytelling out, Niall Horan. 25/10
15. “Dress” *Deluxe*
I just wanna see it back on your body, watch you dance around and tell you I’m sorry
Since the deluxe songs aren’t on Spotify and I don’t have a physical copy of the album yet, I had to do a little search to listen to these. Thank you, YouTube. Anyways, Niall goes to his Irish roots for this one musically. I love that he did this again, like he did with “On My Own”, although this one is a completely different concept and tone. Lyrically, this is good, but not my favorite. I do love the whole feel and melody of it, though. 10/10
16. “Nothing” *Deluxe*
What do I, do I really want in this stormy life? What Choices do I really have with this heart of mine?
Am I the only one who thinks the vibe to this song is completely different from the rest of the album? It’s more rock than anything, I think. Since it started out kind of slow, I wasn’t expecting that jam to come in at the chorus. Total surprise. I really like it, though. I really love how the chorus leads into the bridge and the bridge itself. I can understand why these two songs were left as bonus tracks because “Still” really wraps the album up nicely, but these two songs give us that little extra that we always crave. 10/10
Keep up with Niall Horan and his music at the following:
Twitter: @NiallOfficial; Instagram: @niallhoran; Nialhoran.com; Spotify, Itunes and YouTube
