Remember when boy band One Direction started gaining recognition and popularity in the U.S. back in February? Fast forward eight months and now they’re the hottest band in pop music.

In mid-November, the quintet released their sophomore album Take Me Home. This new album features more heavier guitar riffs and less pure bubblegum pop, producing a more mature sound than their debut album. However, similar lyrics about love and heartbreak are sure to make teenage girls across the country swoon. The balanced mix of upbeat, catchy songs, and slower ballads proves to be the perfect formula for success.

The title itself of the lead single, “Live While We’re Young,” underscores the ubiquitous “YOLO” theme of pop culture today. The album also includes two songs – “Little Things” and “Over Again”  -both written by fellow British musician Ed Sheeran. Band members Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik have become more involved in the creative process by co-writing a few of the tracks, including “Last First Kiss,” “Back for You,” and “Summer Love.” Additionally, Horan shows off his guitar skills in six songs.

Personally, I liked the fact that no member stood out from the rest. Most of the songs on Take Me Home feature each person with a solo that fits his voice perfectly. Also, the album reflects their style of pop music without incorporating other popular rappers or trends, like dub step, in order to keep them “relevant.”

During its first week of release, Take Me Home sold over 530,000 copies, making One Direction the first UK band in history to make their first two albums debut at number one in the U.S. 2012 served as a breakout year for the British-Irish boy band, and they will only continue their success in 2013 with an already sold-out world tour and a planned 3-D movie.

What do you think of "Take Me Home"?

• I love it!
• I like most of the songs.
• "Up All Night" was better.
• I'm not a fan of One Direction.

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