Entertainment

Music Scene: Made in the AM's a Direct hit

One Direction – a fitting thank-you gift to their legions of fans
One Direction – a fitting thank-you gift to their legions of fans One Direction – a fitting thank-you gift to their legions of fans

THEY may be about to take an extended sabbatical due to fatigue and over exposure but One Direction have left their fans the perfect parting shot with an album that is exuberant, energetic and filled to the brim with anthemic power pop.

The album, called Made In The AM is their fifth (yes fifth!) and is obviously the first one not to feature departed member Zayn Malik.

The main producer/writers tasked with making sure that 1D left a suitably indelible impression before their lengthy holiday were Jesse Shatkin, Julien Bunetta and John Ryan, proven pop hit makers who between them have crafted super-successful records already for One Direction as well as the likes of Pink, Kelly Clarkson, Sia, Katy Perry Jason Derulo, Cheryl and Olly Murs.

The quality of straightforward pop song is clear from the album's opening bars and there is enough variety on Made In The AM to satisfy the fans, both devotees and casual alike.

The best track on the record – and, in fact, in my opinion the best track One Direction have actually ever released in all their prolific years – is What A Feeling, an uplifting Euro pop groove based affair that sounds strangely like a cross between Fleetwood Mac and Empire of the Sun.

Current single Perfect and Infinity are also very strong as is Long Way Down which is reminiscent of previous hit You and I – great song even though the lyrics are either misguidedly comical or totally tongue in cheek.

Lines such as “we had a mountain but took it for granted, we had a spaceship but we couldn't land it” abound.

Made In The AM is pretty much the perfect thank-you gift from 1D to their countless legions of fans. Give them time to grow their hair (Harry already has), buy some motorbikes, travel, misbehave and basically live life not through a lens for a year and they'll be back with chapter two.

MISTLETOE AND WHINE

IT'S that time of year of course where you can almost sense the impending onslaught of Shakin' Stevens and Slade as they move into position, ready to relentlessly thrust their yuletide greetings upon you.

Christmas music tends to sit still with the same songs constantly soundtracking office parties and family dinners year after year. While the songs may not change, the artists often do and this year at least a few stars have decided to put on a Santa hat and wrap tinsel round their microphone.

Kylie Minogue has just released Kylie Christmas which houses all the old tried and trusted (or should that be 'tired and trusted') favourites like Winter Wonderland and Let It Snow.

The stand-out track, however, has to be Kylie and Iggy Pop's rendition of Christmas Wrapping. Iggy Pop dressed as Buddy the Elf is something I would pay to see.

Get ready to feel all cuddly and festive too with Lady Ga Ga and Tony Bennet. The unlikely superstar duo have recorded a version of Baby It's Cold Outside as part of a retail advertising campaign. The pair will also release another duets album of jazz standards in the new year.

Ga Ga is also currently putting the finishing touches to her own proper solo record, the work on which was delayed to accommodate her acting gig in American Horror Story. However, for her and us, it's all about Christmas for now so just surrender and succumb to the power of Kylie and Iggy as you get that old tree out of the loft Remember, It's Christmas time – there's no need to be afraid.