1D’s last album, Midnight Memories, was a bit more grown-up than their previous efforts, letting a little lustful electric guitar into their Boden catalogue stadium pop. Four ups the chords a smidgen further. The band are writing more songs now, alongside various McFlys and some safe pop hands; old pal Ed Sheeran is on board again (the strummy ballad 18 is his). 1D’s new direction owes a substantial debt to the big guitar pop of the 80s, something first noted on free download Fireproof and enthusiastically taken up by songs such as Clouds and Stockholm Syndrome. They look very likely to take their fanbase with them.
