Niall Horan Releases Solo Single, Numbs the Pain of 1D’s “Hiatus”

Ever since One Direction released a nostalgia-inducing black and white video about the band’s history, fans have speculated that the band’s reported “hiatus” is actually a breakup. (We at What’s Trending are not in this camp.) Whether you’re Team Hiatus or Team Breakup, if you’re a Directioner, you’re probably pretty excited to hear that at least one 1D member is releasing new music.

Since former One Direction crooner Zayn Malik released his debut single eight months ago, we haven’t heard too much from the boys. Harry Styles took his shirt off for Another Man Magazine and signed a record deal with Columbia, but hasn’t put out music yet. After nearly six straight years of recording and touring, who can blame them?

Niall Horan, though, isn’t content to take a break for too long, releasing his first solo single today. Check out a video of him performing it live in one take above; it’s also available on major streaming services.

The song, “This Town,” is a sensitive acoustic love song about a fella missin’ his baby. Poor Niall! Don’t feel too bad for him, though — his single release is a big enough deal that Twitter devoted a Moments page to it, and fellow 1D member Liam Payne tweeted him congrats:

What do you think? Which 1D member will have the biggest solo career? Let us know in the comments below or @WhatsTrending on Twitter!