Up All Night (Deluxe Version)

Editors’ Notes

With boyish looks reminiscent of The Osmonds and pop-hooks delivered in heavy doses of tween-friendly flirtations, a boy band like One Direction couldn’t have happened without mentorship from Simon Cowell, everyone’s favorite critic. Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Liam Payne auditioned for England’s popular talent show The X Factor as individual contestants, but Cowell suggested they form a five-piece vocal group. One Direction's debut album, Up All Night, opens with “What Makes You Beautiful,” a flirty pop hit with flawless harmonies and grappling hooks. The group moves closer to the dance floor with the pulsing “Tell Me a Lie,” a Kelly Clarkson–penned song that contrasts uplifting melodies with lovelorn lyrics of burning adolescent urgency. The singers prove their prowess as balladeers with “Gotta Be You,” an elegantly produced number backed by lush string arrangements and soaring, congruent vocal magic coming together to make one voice. The lads are also adept at belting out arena-sized anthems, as evidenced by the epic “One Thing.” “Stole My Heart” closes with vintage house production.