FOUR breaks from the album title pattern of Up All Night, Take Me Home, and Midnight Memories, but certainly not from the signature style of everyone's favorite 21st century boy band: One Direction.  While 1D's FOUR isn't an astounding departure from their previous three albums, they do try out some new things, namely an increased focus on each song. This is their shortest album to date and the one that pays by far the most attention to the emotion of the song aligning with the sounds in the music.  It also allots more space to slow, pensive songs while maintaining a balance with upbeat love songs.  Here's a look into what you'll find on your fav Brits' new album:

"Steal My Girl"

First song album, with contributing writers Louis and Liam (or for more seasoned Directioners, LiLo).  This track is honestly completely unsurprising.  It's a crowd pleasing happy song that was released as a single in late September.  With a clap line AND a "na na na" portion, "Steal My Girl" is this album's "WMYB".

"Yay! Sales!"

"Ready to Run"

This song relies heavily on the guitar to carry the serious, hopeful tone of a song about finally being ready to be in relationship: being "ready to run". This touches on the style of some guitar-heavy songs off of Midnight Memories.  The beat to this song is one of the most intricate on the album, and is certainly an adventurous ballad.

So pensive.

"Where Do Broken Hearts Go"

One of the few songs on this album I could call an anthem, this Harry Styles original gives us something that we all love: the whole group harmonizing.  And a Niall intro.  It's got a clap line and is definitely a song that's perfect for the target audience, but it's still a solid song.

Jammin

"18"

God bless our lord and savior Ed Sheeran.  This medium tempo love song pulls on the heart strings of long time lovers who know what it's like to love since you were eighteen.  It rings of a more deep, romantic "Happily" with greater lyrical power.  Can't say enough about this song.  Also, Niall saying "chance" in a British accent.  RIP me.

"Boom, there go your heart strings!"

"Girl Almighty"

Yes, the gif is deliberate.  This is definitely FOUR's "Kiss You", but that's not to say that the songs are identical.  Both are upbeat, rather shallow songs about spontaneous love, but they are definitely individual.  This track was probably placed here to offset the slower tracks before and after it.

Let's have another toast to confusing lyrics!

"Fool's Gold"

All five boys are credited with writing this slow, peaceful, but at the same time somewhat resigned song about a girl you know is manipulative, but you just can't help but fall for.  Each boy gets a solo, but Harry sings the chorus almost completely solo.

Bring it in guys, she did it again.

"Night Changes" 

Faded keyboard in the intro establishes an almost tessellating song, making you see the stars and streetlights pass as Zayn pulls you into another mellowed out song.  This particular track tells of a girl who's experiencing the changes of the night, out without the restraints she's accustomed to.  The music video has probably finished filming, and somehow it involves Harry ice skating.

The approximate arrangement they'll have when performing this song.

"No Control" 

This next track almost begs you to feel reckless.  The shortest song on the album, this uptempo song about having lost control over the love the boys feel for the one they wake up next to draws you in with a Niall intro and kills you with Louis-led chorus.

The only appropriate way to dance to this song.

"Fireproof" 

"Fireproof" was released as a free download two months ago, so Directioners have known its sweetness for quite some time; the band even sang a bit of it at the September 12th show I attended at the Rose Bowl in LA.  This medium tempo song is held mostly by the guitar riffs and drums and depicts true, indestructible love.

Like the love these guys have for each other.

"Spaces" 

This song scares me.  Theories have been going around the 1D community and while some insist this song is about a couple, I'm in the camp that believes it's about how the band has been growing apart.  I certainly don't think this will be their last album together, but this melancholy song paints a picture of almost hopeful resignation.

Is this a sign of a breakup no no no no

"Stockholm Syndrome" 

Prepare.  Your.  Hips.  This is the funkiest, most 80's song I've heard from One Direction ever.  And it's not even corny.  I showed this to my boyfriend and he said "The chorus boring" while, at that very moment, shaking his hips furiously. You can't escape this song.  Zayn gave us a little preview in the video where he was caught smoking...something.  Perhaps salvia a la Miley Cyrus?

Louis' hips = your hips

"Clouds"

Two words: Breakup.  Anthem.  The chorus just begs to be screamed, and the vocalizations that create a feeling of ascension are indescribably uplifting.  It's almost impossible to feel bad after listening to this song.  It's a great closer to the regular track listing, and one of my favorites off the album.

Lean with it

Overall, the album is satisfying and will get On the Road Again Tour ticket holders such as myself incredibly excited.  

Bonus tracks have not yet been released.