When
Niall Horan released his second album, '
Heartbreak Weather', in 2020, it was met with considerable acclaim and a lot of cancelled plans as the world shut down in the face of the global pandemic. Born out of the period of intense introspection that followed, and brought to life through a return to the songwriting form that shaped debut album '
Flicker', with '
The Show' Niall's not just at his career best, he's having the time of his life in the process.
"I'm a specialist at overthinkin' everything," he sings on '
Must Be Love', "I'll tell you all about it if you have the time." Through the ten-track duration of 'The Show', that's exactly what he does. Learning to lean through fear and trust his instincts isn't just a song topic on the album closer; it's an energy that runs through all of these songs and makes this record shine. More intimate when it wants to be, and bigger and brighter when it wants that too (hello, sax solos!), this is an artist at the top of their game.
If there was ever any doubt as to his songwriting prowess, look no further than the album's title-track. A masterclass in dynamics and in sincere, earnest songwriting, this is the beating heart of the record. Stripped back piano? Sweeping orchestral movements? Emotional weight and theatricality that wouldn't feel out of place in a movie-musical? 'The Show' has it all (let's take a moment to appreciate that triumphant key change, yeah?) – and that's just one song.
