Remember When One Direction Released Their Last Album With Zayn Malik?

Fans didn't know it, but One Direction released their last five-member album in November 2014.

For the record, it's slanted Four – a possible shadow of what is to come – Harry styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan again Zayn Malik dropped a 12-song record (with four bonus tracks) that ended up being the end of the boy band era.

All band members had writing credits on the album, which gave them an opportunity to showcase their mature sound. High power IX Factor the songs were gone as the boys were singing about real love, some of which were more public than others. Perhaps the most memorable song on the record is “Stockholm Syndrome,” which Horan still performs despite the band members having solo careers.

Look back with Us as we analyze the success of Four and how it changed things for One Direction fans forever.

What's going on:

One Direction was formed in 2010 in the UK IX Factor and although they did not succeed in the singing competition, the boys became a common sight. Their debut album, up all nightwas released in 2011 with a string of hit singles including “What Makes You Beautiful.”

When it comes to their debut album, Take me Homethe boy band didn't really start experimenting with the sound, but their little maturity was shown with the same clothes (and dances) kept in the past. While “Phila Sisebembano” was the biggest pop song on the album, the boys showed that they were able to turn in the other direction (no pun intended) with songs like “Little Things.”

Related: Everything One Direction Alums Say About Leaving The Band

Music stars. Pop boy band One Direction became one of the biggest groups of the 2010s after five of its members – Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik – came together as contestants on the television series The original X factor in 2010. The five singers became a team for judge Simon Cowell's […]

The band's third album, Midnight Memorieswas their biggest change from their usual pop sound when it was released in 2013. With more rock influences, and Horan on guitar, One Direction proved they were more than just a boy band when they performed their own “Midnight Memories” with the ladies. who wear the “Little Black Dress.”

However, a big change came with it Four in 2014, fans didn't know at the time. The album era was started with the single “Fireproof” as the first single. The album received mixed reviews with critics praising the band for finding their more mature sound. Things changed dramatically for One Direction in the following months as Malik announced his departure from the group in March 2015.

The remaining four members went on to release one album, Done in the AM in 2015, before the band went on an indefinite hiatus.

Why It Was Big Money:

At the time of its release, Four It doesn't seem like a big deal, although some fans argue that it's One Direction's best album. The significance of the songs and their meanings had a major impact after Malik left the group. At first, the title seemed meaningless — they didn't need something catchy, because their fourth album would be as successful as their last three.

Also, the album features the song “You & Me,” which has a note that only Malik could hit. No, seriously, Styles tried to go on stage after Malik left the band and his face at that moment said it all.

This number four has even focused on the vision of One Direction because some have predicted that this title was an indication of what will come to the group.

What People Say:

It was previously stated that One Direction fans consider Four to be the band's best album of all time. However, critics felt differently when it was released. Rolling Stone only gave the album three out of five stars agreeing that the record “mainly shows growth musically.”

In a different review, Billboard called the One Direction album “a bad phase” explaining that their traditional folk songs and mature songs were merging into one. They also noted that the group missed the mark with their ballads once Us he respectfully disagrees.

What Happens Next:

However, Malik left the group. In March 2015, a statement released on One Direction's Facebook page changed the band's course forever. Styles, Tomlinson, Horan and Payne have committed to staying together – but only for one album.

Related: Breaking down One Direction's Solo Careers by the numbers

Since One Direction split in 2016, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik have had varying degrees of success in the music industry. All of the original five members have gone on to earn a living, with Malik being the first to do so after abruptly leaving the boy group in March 2015. He then signed on. […]

Their last performance as One Direction took place on December 31, 2015.

Where They Stand Now:

Malik was the first to embark on a solo career and has released four full-length albums. Styles followed with his first solo single in 2017. He has released three albums since then. Horan has also started his solo career with three records under his belt and Tomlinson has released two albums.

Payne released one full-length album in 2019 before his death in October 2024. The singer fell from a balcony at a hotel in Argentina, and died at the age of 31. After an investigation into his passing, his death was not ruled a suicide.