The Show (Niall Horan album)
The Show | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 9 June 2023 | |||
Studio |
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Length | 30:39 | |||
Label | Capitol | |||
Producer |
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Niall Horan chronology | ||||
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Singles from The Show | ||||
Singles from The Show (The Encore) | ||||
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The Show is the third
Background and recording
On 15 February 2023, Horan announced the album title and release date.[2][3]
Whilst promoting the lead single, Horan told Rolling Stone: "What makes this record incredibly special to me is it's a reflection of where I am in my life today, as a person, a musician, and of course, as a songwriter," he explained in the video. "Can't say I'm not a little nervous, but hopefully you'll still like this version of me when you listen to the new record."[4] Horan appeared Late Night with Seth Meyers and spoke about how his last album cycle for Heartbreak Weather was heavily impacted by a series of lockdowns in 2020, meaning that he was never able to tour the project. "I'd released an album the day we were told we were going into lockdown, um – some would say that was great timing! The tour got cancelled [...] So then I was sitting around waiting for something to happen, waiting for the creative juices to flow [...] Once it came it kind of opened a door for what is now a finished product, record."[5]
In an interview with NME, Horan shared: "The last time I wrote an album I did less thinking. You don’t in your early 20s, you don’t think too much at all [...] I think with pandemics and relationships and things like that, you subconsciously grow as a person. And then production wise and what I’m saying [lyrically], it just sounds like something that a 30-year-old would release. Not a youthful version of what I did before."[6]
Promotion
In February 2023, Horan performed the "Heaven" chorus acoustically whilst appearing on the The Late Late Show with James Corden.[7] He appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show and discussed writing the song at a writer's camp.[8][9] Horan appeared on The Jonathan Ross Show on 11 March 2023 and performed "Heaven" on that show.[10][11] On 15 May 2023, Horan performed "Meltdown" on The Voice.[12][13] On 16 June 2023, Horan released a live, acoustic video of album track "You Could Start A Cult".[14] The video was filmed in California.[15]
Singles
"Heaven", was released on 17 February 2023 as the lead single. The song debuted at number 4 on the Irish singles chart,[16] number 16 on the UK Official Top 100 and at number 63 in the USA on the Billboard Hot 100.[17] "Heaven" official music video was released one week later. In Australia, "Heaven" peaked at number 30 on that country's singles chart.[18] An acoustic version was released on 10 March 2023.[19]
"Meltdown" served as the second official single from the album. It was released on 28 April 2023.[20][21][22] "Meltdown" debuted at number 15 on the Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50 on 5 May 2023.[23] In the United Kingdom, "Meltdown" debuted at number 62 on the UK Official Singles Chart Top 100[24] and debuted at number 48 on the UK Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100 on 5 May 2023.[25]
On the day of the album's release, the official music video of the song "The Show" was released. It was directed by Connor Brashier.[26]
On 27 October 2023, Horan released "You Could Start a Cult", an alternate version from the album version, with American singer Lizzy McAlpine.[27] The song will appear on the deluxe version of The Show: The Encore.[28]
Tour
On 22 May 2023, Horan announced a 50-date tour promoting the album, which is set to visit Europe, Oceania and North America.[29] Horan later added seven more dates due to high demand.[citation needed]
Critical reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 83/100[30] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [31] |
Clash | 8/10[32] |
I | [33] |
The Independent | [34] |
The Line of Best Fit | 6/10[35] |
MusicOMH | [36] |
The Show was met with critical acclaim by the
Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone opined that The Show is "full of laid-back Laurel Canyon-inspired ballads, heavy on the mellow, full of feelings about looking for sanity in a time of personal turmoil", remarking that it is "touching to hear [Horan] get so intimate on his own" and complimenting the "empathy" he brings to "power ballads" like "Heaven".[37] Caitlin Chatterton of The Line of Best Fit wrote that "Listening to the album in full reveals [the first two singles] as the standout tracks by a healthy margin" and that the remainder of the album "is often hampered by its predictability" despite being "far from a bad record".[35] Rachel Martin, reviewing for Fault magazine, stated that the album was "Horan’s most vulnerable and mature songwriting to date", and adding that the singer "takes cent[re] stage [...] a place he’s rightfully earned."[38]
Commercial performance
In Horan's native Ireland, The Show debuted at number 1 on the Irish album chart.[39] In the UK, the album debuted and peaked at number 1, becoming Horan's second solo number 1 album in that country.[40] In the US, The Show sold 68,000 copies in the first week of release, debuting at number 2 on the Billboard 200 chart and number 1 on the Vinyl albums chart.[41] The deluxe version of the album, The Show: The Encore, was released in November 2023 and entered the UK Albums Sales Chart at number 39.[42]
Track listing
| 3:06 | |||
2. | "If You Leave Me" |
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| 2:59 |
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3. | "Meltdown" |
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| 2:33 |
4. | "Never Grow Up" |
|
| 3:29 |
5. | "The Show" |
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| 3:11 |
6. | "You Could Start a Cult" |
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| 3:20 |
7. | "Save My Life" |
| Ryan | 2:57 |
8. | "On a Night Like Tonight" |
|
| 3:07 |
9. | "Science" |
|
| 2:45 |
10. | "Must Be Love" | 3:09 | ||
Total length: | 30:39 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
11. | "Heaven" (Acoustic) |
| Ryan | 3:04 |
Total length: | 33:43 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
11. | "You Could Start a Cult" (Encore version with Lizzy McAlpine) | 3:14 |
12. | "The Show" (Encore version with John Legend) | 3:11 |
13. | "Heaven" (Live from Electric Picnic) | 3:11 |
14. | "If You Leave Me" / "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" (Live from Electric Picnic) | 5:17 |
15. | "Meltdown" (Stripped) | 3:44 |
16. | "Save My Life" (Live from Electric Picnic) | 3:08 |
17. | "On a Night Like Tonight" (Live) | 3:38 |
18. | "Science" (Live from Spotify Studios) | 2:56 |
19. | "Something in the Orange" (Live from Spotify Studios) | 4:02 |
Total length: | 01:03:00 |
Notes
Personnel
Musicians
- Niall Horan – vocals (all tracks), background vocals (tracks 1–4, 6–10); harmonica, piano (6)
- Joel Little – programming (1, 3–5, 9, 10), background vocals (1, 3, 4, 7), synthesizer (1, 4, 5, 10), piano (1, 5, 10), guitar (1, 10); bass guitar, drums (3)
- John Ryan– background vocals (1–4, 7, 8); bass guitar, programming, synthesizer (1, 3, 4, 7, 8); guitar (1, 3, 6–8, 10), drums (1, 3, 7, 8), piano (1, 4, 7), organ (4)
- Tobias Jesso Jr. – background vocals (1)
- Julian Bunetta – background vocals, drums (2, 4); programming, synthesizer (2)
- Michael Sabath – background vocals, bass guitar (2)
- Amy Allen – background vocals (3, 7)
- Dan Bryer – background vocals (5, 9)
- Jamie Scott – background vocals (5, 9), piano (9)
- Mike Needle – background vocals (5, 9)
- Sam de Jong – drums (5, 10)
- Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper – strings director, violin (5, 9)
- James Bush – cello (5, 9)
- Joe Harrop – viola (5, 9)
- Peau Halapua – violin (5, 9)
- Sean Erick – flugelhorn, trumpet (7)
- Kevin Williams, Jr. – flute, tuba (7)
- Leon Silva – saxophones (7)
- Matt Zara – guitar, programming, synthesizer (8)
Technical
- Nathan Dantzler – mastering
- Spike Stent – mixing (1, 3–5, 7–10)
- Julian Bunetta – mixing (2), engineering (2, 4)
- John Ryan – mixing (6), engineering (1–6)
- Joel Little – engineering (1, 3–6)
- Jesse Munsat – engineering (1, 3)
- Jeff Gunnell – engineering (2, 4, 6)
- Martin Hannah – engineering (5)
- Harrison Tate – mastering assistance (2–10)
- Matt Wolach – mixing assistance (1, 3–5, 7–10)
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Release history
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Edition | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Various | 9 June 2023 | Capitol | Standard | [72] | |
3 November 2023 |
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The Show: The Encore | [73] | ||
5 April 2024 |
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See also
- List of 2023 albums
- List of number-one albums from the 2020s (New Zealand)
- List of number-one albums of 2023 (Australia)
- List of number-one albums of 2023 (Ireland)
- List of number-one albums of 2023 (Scotland)
- List of UK Albums Chart number ones of the 2020s
References
- ^ Brandle, Lars (27 October 2023). "Niall Horan Shares 'You Could Start A Cult' With Lizzy McAlpine, Sets 'The Show: The Encore'". Billboard. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ Geraghty, Hollie (17 February 2023). "Niall Horan announces new album 'The Show'". NME. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ "I couldn't possibly be more happy to tell you that my new album 'The Show' will be released on June 9th. You can pre-order it now from the link in my bio..." 15 February 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023 – via Instagram.
- ^ Paul, Larisha (17 February 2023). "Niall Horan Enters His Certified Lover Boy Era on 'Heaven'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ Roberts, Savannah (1 March 2023). "Niall Horan On Why He's Nervous For Fans To Hear 'The Show'". Capital fm. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ Mylrea, Hannah (8 April 2023). "Niall Horan: "The last time I wrote an album I did less thinking"". NME. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
- ^ Paul, Larisha (17 February 2023). "Niall Horan Makes Existential Connection Between Katy Perry and New Single 'Heaven' on 'Corden'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
- ^ "Hear more about the making of NiallOfficial's new single #Heaven, and the origins of his cardigan obsession". Twitter. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ "Niall Horan Reveals He 'Constantly' Speaks to One Direction as Collaboration Rumors Swirl". Rolling Stone. 22 February 2023.
- ^ Millar, Will (10 March 2023). "The Jonathan Ross Show: Who is on ITV show this week including Maya Jama, Niall Horan & James Acaster". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ "Niall Horan - Heaven [Live] | The Jonathan Ross Show". YouTube. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ Paul, Larisha (16 May 2023). "Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper Take the Stage on 'The Voice". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- ^ Brandle, Lars (16 May 2023). "Niall Horan, Chance The Rapper Perform as 'The Voice' Top 5 Revealed". Billboard. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- ^ "Niall Horan - You Could Start A Cult (Live)". YouTube. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ Garcia, Thania (16 June 2023). "Niall Horan Kicks Off Vevo's 'Extended Play' Series in the Hills of California". Variety. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ "Top 100 Singles, Week Ending 24 February 2023". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ @billboardcharts (27 February 2023). "@NiallOfficial's "Heaven" debuts at No. 63 on this week's #Hot100" (Tweet). Retrieved 1 March 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 6 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
- ^ "Niall Horan - Heaven (Acoustic)". Apple Music. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ Rowley, Glenn (13 April 2023). "Niall Horan Announces New Single 'Meltdown': Here's When It Arrives". Billboard. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
- ^ DeLoye, Logan (13 April 2023). "Niall Horan Reveals Title, Release Date Of Upcoming Single". Kiss108fm. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
- ^ Paul, Larisha (28 April 2023). "Niall Horan Offers a Shoulder to Lean on in the Midst of a 'Meltdown' on New Single". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50 05 May 2023 - 11 May 2023". Official Charts. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 05 May 2023 - 11 May 2023". Official Charts. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100 05 May 2023 - 11 May 2023". Official Charts. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ "Niall Horan Drops Eagerly Awaited Album "The Show"". Pressparty. Capitol Music Group. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ "Niall Horan - You Could Start a Cult (with Lizzy McAlpine)". Spotify. 27 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ Paul, Larisha (27 October 2023). "Niall Horan and Lizzy McAlpine Double Their Devotion With 'You Could Start a Cult' Duet". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ Irvin, Jack. "Niall Horan Announces The Show Live on Tour 2024 – His First Headline Run in 6 Years: See the Dates". People. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
- ^ a b "The Show by Niall Horan Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
- ^ Yeung, Neil Z. (9 June 2023). "Niall Horan – The Show Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 10 June 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
- ^ a b Sinclair, Hannah (7 June 2023). "Niall Horan – The Show | Reviews". Clash. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
- ^ Solomon, Kate (8 June 2023). "Niall Horan, The Show review: His best album yet – it is a shame he's still eclipsed by Harry Styles". I. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ a b O'Connor, Roisin (8 June 2023). "Album reviews: Niall Horan – The Show, and Hak Baker – World's End FM". The Independent. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
- ^ a b Chatterton, Caitlin (8 June 2023). "Niall Horan offers few surprises on The Show". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
- ^ Devlin, Ben (14 June 2023). "Album Reviews Niall Horan – The Show". MusicOMH. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ Sheffield, Rob (6 June 2023). "Niall Horan Gets Emo and It Works On The Show". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
- ^ Martin, Rachel (10 June 2023). "Review: Niall Horan takes a well deserved bow on his new album 'The Show'". Fault. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ "Niall Horan celebrates album The Show going to number one". The Irish News. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ Smith, Carl (16 June 2023). "Niall Horan's The Show is his second Number 1 album: "I wasn't expecting this!"". Official Charts. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (19 June 2023). "Niall Horan Earns Third No. 1 on Top Album Sales Chart With 'The Show'". Billboard. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ "Official Albums Sales Chart". Official Charts. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ "THE SHOW. JUNE 9". Instagram. 26 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
- ^ "【CD】ザ・ショー<通常盤> Album". Tower Records Japan. Japan. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Niall Horan – The Show". Hung Medien. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Niall Horan – The Show" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Niall Horan – The Show" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Niall Horan – The Show" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- ^ "Niall Horan Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
- ^ "Album Top-40 Uge 24, 2023". Hitlisten. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Niall Horan – The Show" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- ^ "Top Albums (Week 24, 2023)". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
- GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ "Album – Classifica settimanale WK 24 (dal 09.06.2023 al 15.06.2023)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of June 14, 2023". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ "2023 24-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- ^ "Album 2023 uke 24". VG-lista. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- . Note: Change the date to 09.06.2023–15.06.2023 under "zmień zakres od–do:". Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – Niall Horan – The Show". Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Niall Horan – The Show". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Niall Horan – The Show". Hung Medien. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Niall Horan – The Show". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ "Niall Horan Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
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- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2023". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 January 2024.
- ^ "Year-End Charts: Top Current Album Sales (2023)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ The Show release formats:
- "The Show – Exclusive Cassette". Niall Horan Official Store. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- "The Show - CD". Niall Horan Official Store. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- "The Show – Digital Album". Niall Horan Official Store. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- "The Show by Niall Horan". Apple Music (UK). Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- "The Show - Vinyl". Niall Horan Official Store. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ Lars Brandle (27 October 2023). "Niall Horan Shares 'You Could Start A Cult' With Lizzy McAlpine, Sets 'The Show: The Encore'". Billboard. Retrieved 1 November 2023.