The One Direction hiatus broke many hearts, including mine. While it wasn’t a complete shock, it felt like it came too soon. Still, if Niall Horan’s debut album Flicker is any indication, the break was a good move for the lads to explore their solo artistry.
Known as the cheeky chappy of the group, Niall shifts gears entirely with Flicker. The album reveals an emotional, introspective side of him across its 10 tracks, setting a heartfelt tone from start to finish.
Track-by-Track Highlights
The album kicks off with On the Loose, its most upbeat track. While the repetitive beat and lyrics make it one of the weaker songs, it’s still fun and will have fans dancing when Niall tours next year. As the album progresses, however, the quality only improves.
Fan favourites This Town, Too Much to Ask, and Slow Hands make their way onto the tracklist, delivering the familiar charm that fans love. Slow Hands, in particular, shows a playful and cheekier side of Niall with lyrics like, “We should take this back to my place.”
Seeing Blind is an unexpected gem featuring rising country star Maren Morris. Their voices blend beautifully in this pop-country crossover, proving Niall’s potential in the genre. More collaborations like this would undoubtedly showcase his versatility.
The standout moment on the album is the title track Flicker. A delicate acoustic guitar opens the song, building into Niall’s poignant vocals. With lyrics like “Still a flicker of hope that you first gave to me that I want to keep, please don’t leave,” it’s an emotionally raw and beautifully crafted piece that lingers long after the last note.
An Emotional Journey
Flicker is packed with emotional tracks that will tug at your heartstrings. It’s easy to picture sold-out crowds singing these anthems back to Niall when he takes the stage next year. I might have even teared up during the title track—it’s that moving.
This folk-pop debut is refreshingly easy to listen to and signals a growing trend in the genre. If Flicker is any indication, Niall Horan is carving out a stellar solo career.
