July 31 at six am in the morning when Liam Payne tweeted about something “a bit of a surprise” followed by the other band members. We would like to argue. There’s nothing half, partly, slight, or any nominal adjective to describe the release of their single, “Drag Me Down.”
More than the lead single of the yet to be named and almost done fifth studio album, “Drag Me Down” is also the first music the people would hear from the foursome after Zayn Malik’s departure last March. It’s the first step to settle the score of how the band would fare without their original member and hopefully prove to those who belong to the other side that wrapped behind the pretty packaging do real musicians produce real bits of music.
In “Drag Me Down,” the boys engage in a different kind of feel. While it remains a One Direction track, the band upped the ante as a testament to their comments on their interviews about what sound will people expect on their fifth studio album. The Fleetwood Mac influences Niall was talking about and the bit of Oasis-y sound Liam reveals are evident in the track. “Drag Me Down” also signals the turn away of the band from their earlier demographics. The funkier and fiercer track with Harry Styles taking over the high notes (previously sang by Zayn) can be concluded as the boy’s answer to anyone doubting them: “With your love nobody can drag me down.” (Let’s also not forget the lyrics to be quoted-worthy, too.)
However, with all the good things we are given to this new track, copious amounts of auto tunes are evident in the chorus. Yet, it is never a problem. Within one hour after its release, “Drag Me Down” has topped the iTunes in 55 countries fulfilling the boy’s goal of wanting the song make an impact on its own without the buildup.
