Photoshoot: Zayn Malik in L'Uomo Vogue

Hello all, I hope everyone's new year is going great so far. It looks like it's going to be a great music year because on March 25, Zayn releases Mind of Mine, his first solo album!! I'm so excited for the promo and tour that I'll ignore he picked the exact same day he left 1D. So in celebration, here is a shoot Zayn did with the amazing Ellen von Unwerth.

Photoshoot: Zayn Malik for Fader Magazine

Back in March I had a sappy post lined up about Zayn leaving One Direction and now that I had months to think things through, let things sink in, and see all the stuff that has happened, I'm glad I didn't let impulse win this time. Now I'm all for doing you're own thing and being #real and #happy, which is what Zayn is saying in the article that officially comes out on December. But I can't help still feel disappointed at some of the things Zayn said and did. Whether he was fired or left the band because he wanted to, its bad either way you look at it. Maybe I'm not as understandable as Zayn claims Liam to be, but I do not understand why he left 1D the way that he did if they were planning on working on music and things aside from being in the band anyway. Maybe I'm slightly bitter cos I went through a similar situation where 2 people in my life just got up and left with no real warning. You can't do that, not when there are people counting on you and you've got all these obligations. The fair and real grown up thing to do would have been to just be honest and say that you're not happy anymore and that you're going to leave. And while it is totally understandable that he was not happy with the music 1D were making and did not allow his creative input, I cannot stand when people are pretentious and ungrateful. The only reason he even has the freedom and can afford to do whatever he wants now is because he was in 1D. And just cos 1D is not the style of music you're into does not mean it's fake, and this is coming from a former pretentious music elitist.  I guess to me it's just sad that I'm getting some "George Harrison bitter after the Beatles" vibe from Zayn. That being said, I am looking forward to seeing what this "normal 22 year old" has in store music-wise.

photos by: Francesco Nazardo

Where We Are? On the Road Again!!

Basically the only good thing that happened to me last year was that I got see One Direction on their Where We Are Tour. And the only good thing that has happened to me this year so far is that I got to see 1D again. As cheesy as it sounds, this band managed to help me get through these tough times with their music and gave me something to look forward to. Because there is nothing I love more than the anticipation you feel as you count down the days leading up the concert, the nervous excitement on the actual day of the concert, waiting in line, scanning your ticket and finding your seat, and finally the way the lights dim and your heart drops and you see THEM. For a few hours you forget everything and you're just so happy. Now I know there's been a whole lot of drama surrounding the boys lately (Zayn leaving, Louis is going to be a dad?!, etc.,) but they are a welcome distraction to my life right now. Anyway, here are the pictures I took at both concerts!

Where We Are: Shitty seats but looking back I like the way the pictures turned out and also, Zayn was there. But to be honest I barely remember what happened at the concert except that Harry kept wishing some guy named Rafael a happy birthday and I really liked the way he pronounced the name.

On The Road Again: I have to admit that I actually liked this concert a lot better than last year's because Harry interacted with the crowd a lot, there were cute interactions between Liam, Louis, and Niall, plus I had field seats. But alas, the only good view I had was of the giant screen. I was actually still pretty far from the stage and while the boys were on the catwalk I could only see their backs. There were also so many people around that it was really difficult to hold still and get a good picture. Especially of Harry who flits about on stage, a true Jagger-esque frontman, dancing seductively in gold Dior boots, captivating and engaging the audience to clap,stomp, and moan along with him. The boy oozes charm I tell you. As for the other boys: Niall is sunshine and happiness on stage, playing his guitar and dancing around. Louis was all giggles and quite the stunner with his killer cheek bones, slick quiff, and sleeveless shirts. And sweet, darling Liam (whose parents were in the audience how cute!) with the magic voice was a good sport when Louis dared him to break dance after losing a game or rock, paper, scissors.

Midnight Memories

So as you may have heard, the lads have a new album out. It's absolutely AMAZING and a step in the right direction (haha) musically speaking. Of course it went straight to #1 and is considered one of the top indie/alternative albums of the year. Can you believe it?! I am so happy for the boys for finally getting the recognition they deserve! One review even called this album a modern Rubber Soul of sorts. Music-wise they are nowhere near the original lads (and Harry agrees), but 1D have come a long way since Up All Night. If you thought Rock Me was hardcore, just listen to Midnight Memories and you'll be rocking out all night, stumbling in the street, singing, singing...! What makes this album super special  however, is that the boys (Harry, Louis, and Liam to be exact) have co-written most of the songs on the album. Stand-outs include:  Happily and Something Great by Harry, Strong by Louis, Don't Forget Where You Belong (basically a love song for his 4 pals) by Niall with a little help from his friends McFly, and of course Story of My Life by all 5. I'm hearing a lot of comparisons to Mumford and Sons, but instead of banjos I'm hearing a lot more guitars, which is a good thing. I should also say that their voices are absolutely knee-shaking and heart-melting; just listen to Zayn hit those high notes (in You and I, OMG OMG), Liam sounding like he was meant to sing 70/80s rock, Niall's surprisingly lovely/cheeky tones, Louis' seductively sweet soft voice and the perfect compliment to Harry's deep, oh so sexy rasp (also Harry's rocker yell in Midnight Memories, wow wow wow!). I can honestly say all the songs are just fab and are a nod to 70s/80s rock, which is perfect for the stadiums they're playing in next year (and lucky me I get to go!).