'Fireproof' by One Direction

16.41pm on this glorious September afternoon, I received an email: "1D Announce NEW Album +

Free Track!" Firstly, yes, I am signed up to the One Direction mailing list and yes I am slightly ashamed of it. Secondly, well, this announcement has come from what feels like nowhere. Whilst you're getting over the shock that I'm actually a pretty big 1D fan (again, I am ashamed but hey, guilty pleasures come in all forms!), I'll put this news in context. One Direction released their third, more grown up, album mid-2013 to the applause of fans and critics alike. They then went on a huge world tour which saw them do a string of headline shows at stadiums across the UK early this summer. They've said here and there they've been doing some writing and some recording whilst on the road but a whole album hasn't been officially spoken of. Yet, here it is! The brand new album, aptly named 'Four', will be released on November 17th and the debut single from that album, 'Fireproof' is exclusively downloadable for free until 1pm tomorrow afternoon.

'Fireproof' is unmistakably a song by the biggest boyband in the world but it is also a continued maturation of the sound that the five X Factor boys have been working on since they've had more creative control over their music. It is far removed from the earliest of singles such as 'Up All Night' and it even feels quite different from the more recent of singles 'You And I'. It is catchy and it is simplistic and it's ever so chilled out. It makes you want to sway but with a smile on your face. I can imagine it soundtracking slow-motioned videos of people's happy summers, cheesy and cliched but actually kind of sweet. It features the harmonies that work so well for One Direction and something about it reminds me of Foster The People and Vampire Weekend; it has soft vocals and melodies that just work. 'Fireproof' is almost the definition of easy-listening and whilst it's not overly exciting or vibrant, it's a nice song and an illustration of how One Direction are still evolving.

'Fireproof' can be downloaded for free from the band's website now (24 hours only).
Album 'Four' is available to pre-order now and is due for release on November 17th.
You can also see One Direction's 'Where We Are' tour at selected cinemas on October 11th and 12th.