Though considered one of the most underrated members of the currently on hiatus boyband One Direction, Niall Horan’s debut album Flicker, debuted number one album on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. Compared to the indie-rock-pop style we’ve seen from the most recent One Direction albums, Flicker brings about a familiar, yet slightly different style that can be seen throughout the thirteen songs in the album. It’s hard to categorize the album into one genre, with many of the songs giving off different vibes that can’t really be picked out and separated into group. Here are six songs from the album that we’ve loved listening to again and again.
“Seeing Blind”
“I have seen, seen it all in paper dreams, watched it unfold on the screen, but I never understood”
“Seeing Blind” is the first and only duet on this album by Niall featuring Maren Morris. The pair sing about how the love they have is something that they’ve only imagined and never thought they’d be able to experience. The love is so powerful that they don’t believe that it could have ever been this amazing and unique and that they must be “seeing blind”. When I first heard this song, the starting beats and meaningful lyrics drew me in and kept me listening for the entire song. It was different from what I’ve usually heard from Niall, so it was a unique tune to hear.
“Paper Houses”
“And our paper houses reach the stars, ‘til we break and scatter worlds apart”
This song is about a couple who finally splits after trying to make it work so many times. Their relationship was so fragile and they did everything they could to fix it and protect it but nothing worked. So they’re finally mourning over the inevitable end of their long, overdue breakup. It’s my second favorite song on the album and I scream every lyric at the top of my lungs in my car, even if I’m by myself.
“Flicker”
“In the dark we’re barely hanging on, when you rest your head upon my chest”
This song is hands down my favorite one on the album and I actually listened to it to fall asleep for a week. This song portrays a scenario of a couple whose romance is dying, but they refuse to break up because of the memories they made when they first got together. Although they have their issues, they can’t be without each other. The word “flicker” is a reference to candle because a flame often seems to flicker with a small breeze or a gust of wind, but holds with a little effort. This could probably apply to so many couples out there and it’s really just a beautiful song in general.
“Fire Away”
“You keep saying that you're alright, but I can see it through your fake smile, you're not”
Compared to other songs on the album, I’d say this is slower, but still catchy song, where Niall makes sure to remind his loved one that even if they’re going through rough times, he’ll always be there as a shoulder to lean on. I love this concept, where he tells them that they don’t need to be scared that he’ll think different of them and it’s okay to “fire away” and tell him what’s wrong. Many people are scared to tell others what their feeling, in fear of getting judged. However, this song is the exact response that fear, telling the listener that there are people who they can confide to in times of trouble.
“You and Me”
“I don’t know where it starts, but it ends with you and me”
If I had to label this under a certain genre, I would have to call it indie folk/country. Even though Niall seems to be missing the country voice and accent, his track says otherwise. The song however is a touching love ballad about a guy who makes mistakes, but does everything to make his girlfriend believe the things he does is only to better their relationship. This song gives off really chill vibes and lives up to the quality content we expect from the one and only Niall Horan
“Mirrors”
“She closed the door, she hides behind the face nobody knows, she feels her skin touch the floor”
“Mirrors” has to be one of my favorite songs on the album. The meaning behind it is just so strong and can relate to a lot of people in similar situations. It’s song about a girl who struggles with personal issues that no one else knows about. Though she works to help herself, she just isn’t able to and hides herself underneath a mask of happiness to cover up her issues. She wishes for someone to finally see through her facade and support her as she push through her problems.
The album in general was amazing to listen to. From the lyrics to the melody of each song, the entire album blew us away with how great it was. Though we only picked out a few songs to feature, we’d totally recommend listening to all the songs and picking out your own favorites on the album!