Heartbreak Weather

by Niall Horan

Overview

With his sophomore effort Heartbreak Weather, Irish singer/songwriter Niall Horan delves into the highs and lows of the titular heartache that comes in the wake of a breakup. Unlike his debut, which was rooted in folk-influenced rock sounds, this set frees Horan with polished production and mainstream-friendly shine, a breezy guitar-based pop sound similar to contemporary work by Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes, and his former One Direction bandmate Harry Styles. Heartbreak Weather is a big leap forward for Horan, confident ("Nice to Meet Ya"), mature ("Bend the Rules"), and even a little seductive ("Small Talk"). Despite the often dour and forlorn lyrical content, the songs are full-blooded and more energetic than the average breakup album. On the driving "Black and White," Horan declares, "I promise that I'll love you for the rest of my life," as the drum beats pulse and guitars soar. Later, on "Cross Your Mind," Horan allows himself to be played, resigned to admit, "Leaving me in pieces, but I swear it's worth it every time/Love the way you hurt me, and it doesn't even cross your mind" atop a slick bass groove and disco handclaps. During one particular moment of confusion and yearning, he tries to fill the hole in his heart on the sweeping "Arms of a Stranger," the most beautiful track on the album. It's jarring to enjoy these thoroughly pleasant-sounding songs while Horan is in so much pain, but the juxtaposition makes for a deeper listening experience. As his ex-1D crew continue their own solo careers, Horan maintains his position near the top of the pack with yet another relatable collection of emotive vignettes about everyday love. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

Product Details

Release Date:	05/01/2020
Label:	Capitol / Virgin Emi
UPC:	0602508633867

Tracks

1. Heartbreak Weather
2. Black and White
3. Dear Patience
4. Bend the Rules
5. Small Talk
6. Nice to Meet Ya
7. Put a Little Love on Me
8. Arms of a Stranger
9. Everywhere
10. Cross Your Mind
11. New Angel
12. No Judgement
13. San Francisco
14. Still

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Niall Horan   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)
Alma Fernandez   Violin
Nick Barr   Viola
Greg Kurstin   Bass,Drums,Piano,Guitar,Strings,Keyboards,Synthesizer
Charlie Bisharat   Violin
Aaron Sterling   Drums,Percussion
Teddy Geiger   Guitar
Luke Potashnick   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Jamie Scott   Bass,Drums,Piano,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Songa Lee   Violin
Chris Fish   Cello
Derek Wells   Guitar
Fiona Bonds   Viola
Yuri Zhislin   Viola
Helen Paterson   Violin
Julian Bunetta   Bass,Drums,Piano,Guitar,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Jo Watts   Violin
Cindy Foster   Violin
Patrick Savage   Violin
Dominic Moore   Violin
Benji Lysaght   Guitar
Morgan Goff   Viola
Andrew Haas   Bass
Simon Baggs   Violin
Ruth-Anne Cunningham   Vocals (Background)
Nate Mercereau   Bass,Guitar,Keyboards
Manuel Porta Gallego   Violin
Dorina Markoff   Violin
Rachael Lander   Cello
Noah Conrad   Bass,Drums,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Daniel Bhattacharya   Violin
John Ryan   Bass,Guitar,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Max Whipple   Bass
Jacob Braun   Cello
Daniel Bryer   Drums,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Afterhrs   Keyboards
Mike Needle   Vocals (Background)
Tobias Jesso, Jr.   Vocals (Background)
Shlomy Dobrinsky   Violin
Martin Hannah   Shaker
Will Maclellan   Guitar
Kate Mercereau Isaacson   Guitar
Kane Richotte   Percussion
Derreck Wells   Guitar
Forrest Miller   Fiddle
Jake Cartwright   Guitar (Electric)

Technical Credits

Chris Gehringer   Mastering Engineer
Will Quinnell   Assistant Mastering Engineer
Mark "Spike" Stent   Mixing
Ed Reyes   Engineer,Recording
Greg Kurstin   Composer,Engineer,Producer,String Arrangements
Michael Freeman   Mixing Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Teddy Geiger   Composer,Producer,Programming
Jamie Scott   Composer,Producer,Programming,Vocal Producer,Keyboard Arrangements
Amy Allen   Composer
Julian Bunetta   Composer,Engineer,Producer,Recording,Programming
Alex Pasco   Engineer
Maureen McDonald   Composer
Scott Harris   Composer
Richard Evatt   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Ruth-Anne Cunningham   Composer
Ed Blunt   Keyboard Arrangements
Nate Mercereau   Programming
Liz Isik   A&R
Mozella McDonald   Composer
Niall Horan   Composer
Alexander Izquierdo   Composer
Noah Conrad   Composer,Engineer,Producer,Programming,Vocal Producer
John Ryan   Composer,Engineer,Producer,Programming
Julian Burg   Engineer
Mike Malchicoff   Engineer,Recording
Daniel Bryer   Composer,Producer,Programming,Vocal Producer
Afterhrs   Producer,Programming,Assistant Engineer
Mike Needle   Composer,Vocal Producer
Tobias Jesso, Jr.   Composer,Producer
Martin Hannah   Engineer
Will Maclellan   Assistant Engineer
Veronica Wyman   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Jeff Gunnell   Engineer,Recording,Assistant Engineer
Matt Cooke   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Matt Wolach   Mixing Assistant
Erynn Hill   A&R
Jesse Munsat   Assistant Engineer
Jake Cartwright   Assistant Engineer