All my fellow Directioners will agree that things have been a bit quiet from Niall Horan recently. His first solo album was a smash, with “This Town” breaking hearts everywhere and “Slow Hands” being the bop nobody was ready for, and his second album Heartbreak Weather was a fan favorite as well, which was released in early 2020. But since then, we haven’t heard too much from him when it comes to new music releases. And it’s safe to say fans have been waiting pretty impatiently for the past two and a half years, desperately checking for any signs of new music from Horan.
So, you may want to sit down for this: Horan just gave us a big hint about his new music coming out in 2023, which he confirmed in October. And for any other 1D stans, this is a massive deal — especially those of us who love Horan’s music just as much as Harry Styles’ — not only because Horan hasn’t released much since 2020, but also because fans have really taken to his solo music.
This Easter egg for new music comes to us thanks to TikTok, particularly the dedicated fans who have been overflowing Horan’s comments with questions about new music. After years of begging, we’ve finally gotten an update from Horan about his upcoming third album — and I’d like to think it’s a pretty big reveal.
It all started when Horan posted a TikTok on Nov. 18, which began with the text, “‘Drop new music or we’ll leak your camera roll,’” quoting his fans’ countless comments. Then, he clowns us all, and showcases a bunch of photos from his camera roll — as in to say, “No, I’m not dropping new music right now.” It’s safe to say fans felt pretty let down by this one — but hey, I’m sure Horan got a great laugh out of it.
But just when fans started to lose a bit of hope for new music from Horan soon, he pulled a fast one. Today (Dec. 19), he posted another TikTok replying to a comment on that video, which reads, “ok but please drop new music for my sanity.” (Still with me? Yes? Good.) In the video, Horan is playing his guitar, and as he strums, he sings an absolutely delightful new melody — as in, one we haven’t heard in any of his songs. And if that isn’t enough, to end off the video, Horan says, “That’s all you’re getting.”
Now, some of you might be skeptical that Horan is just trolling us once again — but most fans are taking this video as a surefire sign that his third album is coming quickly. I mean, think about it: Not only has it been confirmed that Horan will be releasing music in 2023, but we also now have a snippet of what it’ll sound like — and boy, it’s beautiful. I have to agree with the commenter who wrote “IT SOUNDS LIKE HEAVEN [heart emoji]” — this guitar sample was well worth the wait, as I’m sure his new album will be.
Since then, the video has taken off, and fans aren’t holding back in expressing their sheer excitement for whatever this new song will be. Even if some fans are calling this new video “edging,” I’m just happy we’re getting anything at all. So, until next time, you can catch me replaying this ten-second clip on repeat, trying to somehow guess the words as Horan serenades me over and over again.