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Niall Horan|The Show: The Encore

The Show: The Encore

Niall Horan

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Three years and a pandemic between releases, Niall Horan turns the heartbreak around on his vibrant, matured The Show. His third full-length, the quick ten-track burst finds the former One Directioner in a period of positive growth, leaving his twenties behind and grounding himself in a more comfortable space where he can play with genres and have some fun. The mood is set on the irresistible opener "Heaven," a bright, life-affirming anthem that nods to the Beach Boys with the repeated "God only knows" and that group's trademark sunny vocal harmonies. Meanwhile, "Meltdown" and "Save My Life" amp up the energy with breezy choruses and '80s pop/rock vibrancy that's not too far off from his former bandmates Harry Styles' and Louis Tomlinson's contemporaneous output. Digging in deeper, he contemplates the passage of time and its effects on love on the tender "Never Grow Up" and dips into Tame Impala psych-groove on "If You Leave Me." Later, he slows things down with the acoustic guitar-and-harmonica "You Could Start a Cult," a sweet ode to a love that could sway the masses, and the piano-and-strings ballad "Science." The centerpiece title track is a sweeping showcase that builds atop swelling, orchestral drama, reaching a grand apex on the bridge, where Horan hits the most shiver-inducing vocal heights yet heard on one of his solo efforts. With each subsequent album, Horan just gets better and better. The Show is his most immediate and engaging set to date, endlessly listenable and full of heart and charm.

© Neil Z. Yeung /TiVo

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The Show: The Encore

Niall Horan

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1
Heaven
00:03:06

Nathan Dantzler, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joel Little, Producer, Engineer, Guitar, Piano, Synthesizer, Programming, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - John Ryan, Producer, Drums, Engineer, Guitar, Piano, Bass, Synthesizer, Programming, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Spike Stent, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Niall Horan, Vocals, Background Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Tobias Jesso Jr., Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Elizabeth Isik, A&R Admin - Matt Wolach, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jesse Munsat, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Amanda Samii, A&R - Georgia Bundschu, A&R Coordinator

℗ 2023 Neon Haze Music Ltd. and Niall Horan

2
If You Leave Me
00:02:59

Julian Bunetta, Producer, Mixer, Drums, Engineer, Guitar, Synthesizer, Programming, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Nathan Dantzler, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joel Little, ComposerLyricist - John Ryan, Producer, Engineer, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Niall Horan, Vocals, Background Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Caroline Ailin, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Gunnell, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mike Sabath, Producer, Co-Producer - Elizabeth Isik, A&R Admin - Michael Sabath, Bass, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Harrison Tate, Assistant Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Amanda Samii, A&R - Georgia Bundschu, A&R Coordinator

℗ 2023 Neon Haze Music Ltd. and Niall Horan

3
Meltdown
00:02:33

Nathan Dantzler, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joel Little, Producer, Drums, Engineer, Bass, Programming, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - John Ryan, Producer, Drums, Engineer, Guitar, Bass, Synthesizer, Programming, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Spike Stent, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Niall Horan, Vocals, Background Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Elizabeth Isik, A&R Admin - Amy Allen, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Matt Wolach, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jesse Munsat, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Harrison Tate, Assistant Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Amanda Samii, A&R - Georgia Bundschu, A&R Coordinator

℗ 2023 Neon Haze Music Ltd. and Niall Horan

4
Never Grow Up
00:03:29

Julian Bunetta, Producer, Drums, Engineer, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Nathan Dantzler, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joel Little, Producer, Engineer, Synthesizer, Programming, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - John Ryan, Producer, Engineer, Guitar, Organ, Piano, Bass, Synthesizer, Programming, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Spike Stent, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Shane McAnally, ComposerLyricist - Niall Horan, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Gunnell, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Elizabeth Isik, A&R Admin - Matt Wolach, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Harrison Tate, Assistant Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Amanda Samii, A&R - Georgia Bundschu, A&R Coordinator

℗ 2023 Neon Haze Music Ltd. and Niall Horan

5
The Show
00:03:11

Jamie Scott, Vocal Producer, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Sam de Jong, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Nathan Dantzler, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joel Little, Producer, Engineer, Piano, Synthesizer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper, Violin, Strings Director, AssociatedPerformer - Spike Stent, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - James Bush, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Niall Horan, Vocals, Background Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mike Needle, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Dan Bryer, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Martin Hannah, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Elizabeth Isik, A&R Admin - Peau Halapua, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Wolach, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Harrison Tate, Assistant Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Harrop, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Amanda Samii, A&R - Georgia Bundschu, A&R Coordinator

℗ 2023 Neon Haze Music Ltd. and Niall Horan

6
You Could Start A Cult
00:03:20

Julian Bunetta, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Nathan Dantzler, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joel Little, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - John Ryan, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Niall Horan, Piano, Vocals, Harmonica, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mark Landon, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Gunnell, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Elizabeth Isik, A&R Admin - Ruel Vincent Van Dijk, ComposerLyricist - Harrison Tate, Assistant Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Amanda Samii, A&R - Georgia Bundschu, A&R Coordinator

℗ 2023 Neon Haze Music Ltd. and Niall Horan

7
Save My Life
00:02:57

Nathan Dantzler, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Ryan, Producer, Drums, Engineer, Guitar, Piano, Bass, Synthesizer, Programming, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Spike Stent, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Niall Horan, Vocals, Background Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Leon Silva, Saxophones, AssociatedPerformer - Sean Erick, Flugelhorn, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Jeff Gunnell, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Elizabeth Isik, A&R Admin - Amy Allen, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Matt Wolach, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Kevin Williams, Jr., Flute, Tuba, AssociatedPerformer - Harrison Tate, Assistant Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Amanda Samii, A&R - Georgia Bundschu, A&R Coordinator

℗ 2023 Neon Haze Music Ltd. and Niall Horan

8
On A Night Like Tonight
00:03:07

Nathan Dantzler, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Ryan, Producer, Drums, Engineer, Guitar, Bass, Synthesizer, Programming, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Jacob Kasher Hindlin, ComposerLyricist - Spike Stent, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Niall Horan, Vocals, Background Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Gunnell, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Elizabeth Isik, A&R Admin - Matt Wolach, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Zara, Producer, Guitar, Additional Producer, Synthesizer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Harrison Tate, Assistant Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Amanda Samii, A&R - Georgia Bundschu, A&R Coordinator

℗ 2023 Neon Haze Music Ltd. and Niall Horan

9
Science
00:02:45

Jamie Scott, Piano, Vocal Producer, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Nathan Dantzler, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joel Little, Producer, Engineer, Synthesizer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper, Violin, Strings Director, AssociatedPerformer - Spike Stent, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - James Bush, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Niall Horan, Vocals, Background Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mike Needle, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Dan Bryer, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Elizabeth Isik, A&R Admin - Peau Halapua, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Wolach, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Harrison Tate, Assistant Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Harrop, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Amanda Samii, A&R - Georgia Bundschu, A&R Coordinator

℗ 2023 Neon Haze Music Ltd. and Niall Horan

10
Must Be Love
00:03:09

Ben Kohn, ComposerLyricist - Sam de Jong, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Barnes, ComposerLyricist - Peter Kelleher, ComposerLyricist - Nathan Dantzler, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joel Little, Producer, Engineer, Guitar, Piano, Bass, Synthesizer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - James Napier, ComposerLyricist - John Ryan, Producer, Guitar, Additional Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Spike Stent, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - TMS, Producer, Additional Producer - Niall Horan, Vocals, Background Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Philip Plested, ComposerLyricist - Elizabeth Isik, A&R Admin - Matt Wolach, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Harrison Tate, Assistant Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Amanda Samii, A&R - Georgia Bundschu, A&R Coordinator

℗ 2023 Neon Haze Music Ltd. and Niall Horan

11
You Could Start A Cult (Encore Version)
00:03:14

Julian Bunetta, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Nathan Dantzler, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joel Little, Producer, ComposerLyricist - John Ryan, Producer, Mixer, Guitar, Recording Engineer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Rob Moose, String Arranger, Engineer, Viola, Violin, Strings, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Mike Westbrook, Additional Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Niall Horan, Piano, Vocals, Harmonica, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Eric Caudieux, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mark Landon, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Gunnell, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elizabeth Isik, A&R Admin - Ruel Vincent Van Dijk, ComposerLyricist - Lizzy McAlpine, Vocals, Background Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Harrison Tate, Assistant Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Amanda Samii, A&R - Georgia Bundschu, A&R Coordinator

℗ 2023 Neon Haze Music Ltd. and Niall Horan

12
The Show (Encore Version)
00:03:11

Jamie Scott, Vocal Producer, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Sam de Jong, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Nathan Dantzler, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joel Little, Producer, Engineer, Piano, Synthesizer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - John Legend, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper, Violin, Strings Director, AssociatedPerformer - Spike Stent, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - James Bush, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Niall Horan, Vocals, Background Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mike Needle, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Tim McClain, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dan Bryer, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Martin Hannah, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Elizabeth Isik, A&R Admin - Kieron Beardmorre, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Peau Halapua, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Wolach, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Harrison Tate, Assistant Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Harrop, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Amanda Samii, A&R - Georgia Bundschu, A&R Coordinator

℗ 2023 Neon Haze Music Ltd. and Niall Horan

13
Heaven (Live From Electric Picnic)
00:03:11

Nathan Dantzler, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joel Little, Producer, ComposerLyricist - John Ryan, Producer, ComposerLyricist - John Bird, Bass, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Niall Horan, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Alex Torjussen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Derbyshire, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tobias Jesso Jr., ComposerLyricist - Elizabeth Isik, A&R Admin - Louis Querelle, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Danielle McGinley, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Cerutti, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jake Curran, Electric Guitar, Musical Director, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Harrison Tate, Assistant Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Emily Kohavi, Electric Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Amanda Samii, A&R - Georgia Bundschu, A&R Coordinator - Mark Littlewood, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel

℗ 2023 Neon Haze Music Ltd. and Niall Horan

14
If You Leave Me / Everybody Wants To Rule The World (Live From Electric Picnic)
00:05:17

Julian Bunetta, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Nathan Dantzler, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joel Little, ComposerLyricist - Ian Stanley, ComposerLyricist - Chris Hughes, ComposerLyricist - ROLAND ORZABAL, ComposerLyricist - John Ryan, Producer, ComposerLyricist - John Bird, Bass, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Niall Horan, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Alex Torjussen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Caroline Ailin, ComposerLyricist - Robert Derbyshire, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mike Sabath, Producer, Co-Producer - Elizabeth Isik, A&R Admin - Louis Querelle, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Danielle McGinley, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Sabath, ComposerLyricist - Alex Cerutti, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jake Curran, Electric Guitar, Musical Director, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Harrison Tate, Assistant Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Emily Kohavi, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Amanda Samii, A&R - Georgia Bundschu, A&R Coordinator - Mark Littlewood, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel

℗ 2023 Neon Haze Music Ltd. and Niall Horan

15
Meltdown (Stripped)
00:03:44

Nathan Dantzler, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joel Little, Producer, ComposerLyricist - John Ryan, Producer, ComposerLyricist - John Bird, Vocals, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Niall Horan, Vocals, Background Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Alex Torjussen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Casey Graham, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Robert Derbyshire, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mario Jose, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Elizabeth Isik, A&R Admin - Louis Querelle, Keyboards, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Amy Allen, ComposerLyricist - Danielle McGinley, Keyboards, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Jake Curran, Producer, Guitar, Co-Producer, Vocals, Musical Director, AssociatedPerformer - Harrison Tate, Assistant Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Emily Kohavi, Guitar, Violin, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Therese Curatolo, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Amanda Samii, A&R - Georgia Bundschu, A&R Coordinator

℗ 2023 Neon Haze Music Ltd. and Niall Horan

16
Save My Life (Live from Electric Picnic)
00:03:08

Nathan Dantzler, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Ryan, Producer, ComposerLyricist - John Bird, Bass, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Niall Horan, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Alex Torjussen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Derbyshire, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elizabeth Isik, A&R Admin - Louis Querelle, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Amy Allen, ComposerLyricist - Danielle McGinley, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Cerutti, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jake Curran, Electric Guitar, Musical Director, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Harrison Tate, Assistant Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Emily Kohavi, Electric Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Amanda Samii, A&R - Georgia Bundschu, A&R Coordinator - Mark Littlewood, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel

℗ 2023 Neon Haze Music Ltd. and Niall Horan

17
On A Night Like Tonight (Live)
00:03:38

Nathan Dantzler, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Ryan, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Jacob Kasher Hindlin, ComposerLyricist - Jeanie Lim, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - John Bird, Vocals, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Niall Horan, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Alex Torjussen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Casey Graham, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Robert Derbyshire, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elizabeth Isik, A&R Admin - Rocio Marron, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Louis Querelle, Keyboards, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Danielle McGinley, Keyboards, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Zara, Producer, Additional Producer - Jake Curran, Producer, Guitar, Co-Producer, Vocals, Musical Director, AssociatedPerformer - Harrison Tate, Assistant Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Emily Kohavi, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Therese Curatolo, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Amanda Samii, A&R - Michelle Elliot Rearick, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Georgia Bundschu, A&R Coordinator

℗ 2023 Neon Haze Music Ltd. and Niall Horan

18
Science (Live From Spotify Studios)
00:02:56

Jamie Scott, Vocal Producer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - William Garrett, Producer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Nathan Dantzler, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joel Little, Producer - Niall Horan, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Michael Hickey, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mike Needle, ComposerLyricist - Matthew Sullivan, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dan Bryer, ComposerLyricist - Elizabeth Isik, A&R Admin - Louis Querelle, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Neal Shaw, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Danielle McGinley, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jake Curran, Producer, Co-Producer, Musical Director - Harrison Tate, Assistant Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Carl Bespolka, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Emily Kohavi, Violin, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Amanda Samii, A&R - Georgia Bundschu, A&R Coordinator

℗ 2023 Neon Haze Music Ltd. and Niall Horan

19
Something In The Orange (Live From Spotify Studios)
00:04:02

William Garrett, Producer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Nathan Dantzler, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Niall Horan, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Hickey, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Matthew Sullivan, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Elizabeth Isik, A&R Admin - Neal Shaw, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jake Curran, Producer, Guitar, Co-Producer, Musical Director, AssociatedPerformer - Harrison Tate, Assistant Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Carl Bespolka, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Amanda Samii, A&R - Zachary Lane Bryan, ComposerLyricist - Georgia Bundschu, A&R Coordinator

℗ 2023 Neon Haze Music Ltd. and Niall Horan

Album review

Three years and a pandemic between releases, Niall Horan turns the heartbreak around on his vibrant, matured The Show. His third full-length, the quick ten-track burst finds the former One Directioner in a period of positive growth, leaving his twenties behind and grounding himself in a more comfortable space where he can play with genres and have some fun. The mood is set on the irresistible opener "Heaven," a bright, life-affirming anthem that nods to the Beach Boys with the repeated "God only knows" and that group's trademark sunny vocal harmonies. Meanwhile, "Meltdown" and "Save My Life" amp up the energy with breezy choruses and '80s pop/rock vibrancy that's not too far off from his former bandmates Harry Styles' and Louis Tomlinson's contemporaneous output. Digging in deeper, he contemplates the passage of time and its effects on love on the tender "Never Grow Up" and dips into Tame Impala psych-groove on "If You Leave Me." Later, he slows things down with the acoustic guitar-and-harmonica "You Could Start a Cult," a sweet ode to a love that could sway the masses, and the piano-and-strings ballad "Science." The centerpiece title track is a sweeping showcase that builds atop swelling, orchestral drama, reaching a grand apex on the bridge, where Horan hits the most shiver-inducing vocal heights yet heard on one of his solo efforts. With each subsequent album, Horan just gets better and better. The Show is his most immediate and engaging set to date, endlessly listenable and full of heart and charm.

© Neil Z. Yeung /TiVo

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