Imagine having so much aura that your fans have a complete meltdown over your new album before it is even announced. Well, Mr. Harry Styles does, in fact, possess such aura. When people in various cities noticed signs that said “We belong together” and a cryptic website called “WE BELONG TOGETHER” appeared online, prompting users to text a phone number and receive a message that says — you guessed it — “we belong together,” fans connected the messages back to Styles. Sure enough, on Jan. 15, 2026, Styles announced his new album Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally would be released on March 6. While my first reaction was befuddlement over the title and hope that it would make sense in due time, my next feeling was just happiness. Whether you chose to listen to them or not, the music of One Direction likely infiltrated your childhood somehow. The death of Liam Payne in late 2024 shook many of us, and it confirmed there would be no One Direction reunion in the worst way possible. Harry Styles’s return feels somewhat like a salve — a touch of the nostalgia the world would have gotten from a One Direction reunion. Louis Tomlinson’s new album acts similarly. The tragedy of losing Liam Payne remains, but for the first time since his death, the former members of the band are releasing music again. In honor of Liam Payne and Styles’s announcement, I’ve decided to dedicate this week’s Test Spin to One Direction’s 2014 record FOUR.
FOUR kicks off with its lead single, “Steal My Girl,” one of the record’s more popular tracks. Here, the boys of One Direction take part in some good old-fashioned bragging, and that’s perfectly fine. The tune is undeniably catchy, but the highlight is, without a doubt, Zayn’s vocal runs in the final rendition of the chorus. “Ready to Run” reads more like a OneRepublic song than a One Direction one, but it’s fun and cheerful regardless. “Where Do Broken Hearts Go” focuses on making amends and getting the girl back. The chorus is super singable and poppy, capable of drawing in even the newest of listeners in the first go-around. In the opening of “18,” we get a whisper of the soulful tone of Styles’s later music. Once again, though, the high point is presented by Zayn in the pre-chorus, along with the thoughtful lyrics of the chorus. Interestingly, this song was written by Ed Sheeran, and it very much sounds like it. “Girl Almighty” is a bit more of a hidden gem, having received a bit less attention than some of the other songs on the album. Nevertheless, it holds its own among some of the monster hits on FOUR, with a bit more bite in the delivery of the chorus and gritty backing guitar.
I have been and continue to be a huge fan of Niall Horan, and listeners are blessed with his gorgeous contribution straight from the get-go of “Fool’s Gold.” The lyrics of this one veer towards angsty, but it’s easy listening. The iconic and evergreen “Night Changes” is next on the queue, and it goes without saying that this song is a favorite of mine (as is the case for many One Direction fans), both for the lyrics that have been played after many a graduation ceremony, and for the stunning harmonies that come in during the chorus. Styles takes the lead as the band croons, “We’re only gettin’ older, baby / And I’ve been thinkin’ about it lately / Does it ever drive you crazy / Just how fast the night changes?” Meanwhile, “No Control” is a tad less wholesome than some of its predecessors, and features a funky bassline and head-bopping chorus. “Fireproof” is a turn to a softer indie sound, and the guitar break following the second verse scratched an itch I didn’t even know I had.
“Spaces” is the ideal song for a drive and the best possible example of why One Direction worked so well — their voices just complement each other so nicely, particularly during the chorus of this track. Next is “Stockholm Syndrome,” one of my all-time favorite One Direction songs. Funky, energetic and chronically singable, this song is a smash from top to bottom. It remains on my playlist to this day. “Clouds” caps off FOUR and positively screams 2014. Although the true meaning is ambiguous and hotly debated, it’s an upbeat, fun ending that perfectly captures the vibe of this record, and of One Direction itself. FOUR was the final album released by all five original members of the band before Zayn left — the final artifact of the complete group that captured so many people’s hearts. Listening to it not only propels me back in time, but reminds me what each of these members brought to the table.
Test Spins is a fortnightly throwback column reviewing and recommending classic and underrated albums from the past. It runs every other Friday.
Sydney Levinton is a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at slevinton@cornellsun.com.
Sydney Levinton is a member of the Class of 2027 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is the Arts and Culture Editor on the 143rd Editorial Board. She can be reached at slevinton@cornellsun.com.
