<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Problems playing this file? See media help . </Td> </Tr> <P> One Direction's debut studio album, Up All Night (2011), is predominantly a pop music record, containing elements of teen pop, dance - pop, pop rock, with electropop and rock influences . Digital Spy's Robert Copsey described the album as a "collection of PG pop rock with killer choruses", while The New York Times considered it "full of easy rock - inflected pop, blithe and sometimes clever ." Jason Lipshutz of Billboard acknowledged that the album demonstrates an originality in sound that was "necessary for the revitalization of the boy band movement". The songs "One Thing" and "What Makes You Beautiful" were particularly noted for the genres of power pop and pop rock, for their "powerhouse" guitar riffs and "forceful" choruses . </P> <P> Their second studio album, Take Me Home (2012), is characterised by rock - inherited pop, prominent electric guitar riffs, bright synthesisers, a homogeneous sound and message, and the pitch - correcting software Auto - Tune . Alexis Petridis of The Guardian interpreted its signature sound as a "peppy, synth - bolstered take on early - 80s new - wave pop, heavy on clipped rhythms and chugging guitars," which, he said, is at least an improvement on the substitute contemporary R&B "that was once the grim lot of the boyband ." Jon Caramanica, writing in The New York Times, considered the album "far more mechanical" than their debut album, although noted that it is sonically and lyrically similar . The album's lyricism speaks of falling in love, unrequited love, the insistence that flaws are what make a person unique, commitment, jealousy and longing for past significant others . </P> <P> Erica Futterman for Rolling Stone favoured their live acoustic performances as both showing, "Horan's ability to play guitar, as well as One Direction's admirable live vocals . There was no need to worry about a backing track or a bum note, a pleasant realization at a pop show ." Herald Sun's Cameron Adams opined that One Direction have "strong pop voices". Melody Lau of the National Post wrote, "It's easy to get lost in inherent appeal of their perfectly coiffed dos and almost - too - put - together preppy style but somewhere in the midst of all the love - struck squeals of teenage girls are guys who can actually sing and, to a certain extent, entertain ." Jane Stevenson of the portal site Canoe concurred: "What I didn't really prepare myself for was that they all can actually sing in concert ." Chris Richards, writing in The Washington Post, dissented from the approval: "As the five traded couplets, it was tough to imagine a future Justin Timberlake, Ricky Martin or Bobby Brown emerging from the pack . No one voice stood out ." Mike Wass of Idolator felt One Direction's "surprisingly accomplished effort" of Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody" proved that One Direction are "more than capable" of evolving their sound . </P>

Who is considered the lead singer of one direction