• Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Nov 13, 2015
User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 506 Ratings

User score distribution:
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  1. Nov 17, 2015
    7
    One Direction's 5th album "Made in the a.m." is either their swan song or pre-hiatus treat. Whichever of those it ends up being, it certainly plays like a swan song. The mood is all subdued pop-rock torch songs, with the occasional dash of bounce to speed things up a tad. A bit more variety would have served them better, but they manage to wring some catchy moments out of this approachOne Direction's 5th album "Made in the a.m." is either their swan song or pre-hiatus treat. Whichever of those it ends up being, it certainly plays like a swan song. The mood is all subdued pop-rock torch songs, with the occasional dash of bounce to speed things up a tad. A bit more variety would have served them better, but they manage to wring some catchy moments out of this approach even so.

    Not a group to fix what isn't broken, they wisely stick with long time musician/producer/collaborators Julian Bunetta & John Ryan. This time around, they are still lost in the 80's, but the influence they're wearing on their sleeves is telegraphed straight out of a Don Henley ballad, or more often Bryan Adams in full blown super-schlock slow croon mode. They even throw in a dash of Coldplay-aping skyscraping sounds on "Infinity." Even as they raise the roof up, the mood drops right back into subdued and mellow territory with "If I could fly" which is emblematic of the main problem with this disc. 1D have always managed to expand beyond the usual boy band formula - primarily because they've steered well clear of the pop R&B / new jack swing sounds that were favored by groups like Backstreet Boys, N'Sync and the like. The trouble here is that almost every single song is built to be a crowd-pleasing swooner. One of those songs where if it were played live, every lighter (or these days, every cell phone) would go up as the crowd swayed along to the music. It isn't to say they can't do these songs well - when it comes to sugar-packed bubble gum pop injected with just enough pop rock grit to keep it from sounding too over-the-top sweet, 1D and their collaborators have the recipe for that style of pop down to a science.

    Just as on Four, they often telegraph their influences in music that blurs the line between homage and copycat moves - but really, when it works well, such as on "What A Feeling" (Tango In The Night era Fleetwood Mac, anyone?) it sounds good enough that most would be hard pressed to worry about it.

    And stepping away from talk of their influences for a moment - album highlight is certainly "Love you goodbye" which plays as a [possibly] intentional sequel-song to "Spaces" off their last album. It's sad-sack power balladry at its finest, with just the right amount of power-ballad guitar embellishment to really drive the feeling home.

    What's missing is [again] the variety. On "Four" there were more sprightly numbers to liven up the proceedings, from "No Control" to the so-catchy-it-hurts "Change Your Ticket." Here, those moments are few and far between ("Temporary Fix" is a welcome respite from the slow croon numbers) but they aren't slotted in often enough to change things up quite often enough. It feels like the remaining 4 members of 1D treated this too much like a going away album, and in doing so made polished boy-band pop rock that forgets to be energetic for much of the album. Bunetta & Ryan manage to spin up catchy instrumentation for their voices still, sure - but the spark just isn't there. Perhaps a sign they would benefit from a break, and perhaps trying to stretch beyond their boundaries a bit - including the potential for doing solo work without the crutch of their long time collaborators.

    "Made in the a.m." is 1D doing what they do well and still trying to stretch beyond the sounds that made them.
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  2. Nov 14, 2015
    7
    The album is not bad, but it is the same as the previous ones, always the same music for all albums, which makes the band a somewhat repetitive thing, and this album remains an empty album in the career of One Direction ...
  3. Mar 29, 2016
    4
    Meh, I actually listened to this album after listening to zayn's new one because I was impressed by that kid so just tried to check out if I was missing on these 4 guys as well but its safe to say Mr. Malik is the most talented of the group. This album is bland..not totally horrible..i liked "Walking in the wind" and that one beatles esque song and Drag Me Down is catchy but thats it. YeahMeh, I actually listened to this album after listening to zayn's new one because I was impressed by that kid so just tried to check out if I was missing on these 4 guys as well but its safe to say Mr. Malik is the most talented of the group. This album is bland..not totally horrible..i liked "Walking in the wind" and that one beatles esque song and Drag Me Down is catchy but thats it. Yeah these guys can sing but their music doesn't seem to improve with time. They should just break up already. Its about time. Expand
  4. Aug 31, 2020
    7
    As their last album this one continues the trend of their completely polished sound and exploring new territory lyrically. Their voices sound as good as ever.
  5. Feb 5, 2016
    9
    Finalmente a 1D fez algo que não "atingisse ou se dirigisse" apenas para uma determinada faixa-etária, "Infinity" é a minha favorita, "Perfect" também é uma das melhores, "History" foi uma ótima escolha de single, eu amo "Drag Me Down" mas tem algumas faixas do álbum que realmente eu não consigo "engolir", "Temporary Fix", "Long Way Down", e "Wolves". Mas apesar de tudo, é a melhor era daFinalmente a 1D fez algo que não "atingisse ou se dirigisse" apenas para uma determinada faixa-etária, "Infinity" é a minha favorita, "Perfect" também é uma das melhores, "History" foi uma ótima escolha de single, eu amo "Drag Me Down" mas tem algumas faixas do álbum que realmente eu não consigo "engolir", "Temporary Fix", "Long Way Down", e "Wolves". Mas apesar de tudo, é a melhor era da banda, por isso a minha nota é 9. Expand
  6. Apr 12, 2016
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Nice to see that all of the boys took part in the writing process. Particular special mention to If I Could Fly. Good vocals. Interesting to see the solo work from them. Expand
  7. Jun 13, 2016
    8
    This is my first One Direction album. It was stunning. I never imagined such an album form these boys. Anyway, the boys rock! "If I Could Fly" and "I Want to Write You a Song" are literally the best songs.
    Favourite tracks - I Want to Write You a Song, If I Could Fly, Hey Angel, History, End of the Day, Olivia, A.M., Walking in the Wind.
  8. May 14, 2017
    10
    its definitely better than the last album. I like this as much as I like Midnight Memories. It was growing on me and I love that they're pushing to edgier sound
  9. Sep 1, 2019
    10
    really great pop music all slaps definitely worth the listen actually some really good writing on here
  10. Dec 3, 2019
    8
    One of the best of them, much more mature than the previous ones, with great lyrics and great melodies.
  11. Feb 27, 2020
    10
    melhor album da 1d four pq choras???? pa* no ** desses criticos eu em (sdds zayn)
  12. Jul 12, 2020
    9
    Haters are wrong. An amazing album to leave with. Bomb singles (except perfect. i can't support her) and even better other songs.
  13. Aug 3, 2020
    10
    This record is much more personal and interesting than One Direction's other four albums. The lyrics is something more mature and unique.
  14. Nov 29, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Even though this is their last album before take a break and it's obviously, that is a goodbye album but in this album we see and feel the boy's feeling through it is definitely the band best album Expand
  15. Dec 3, 2020
    10
    great álbum perfect songs not even a single skip the vocals are amazing the boys had a lot of trouble and I think it's one of the best's
  16. Mar 29, 2021
    10
    Their last album is such a masterpiece,and it's not even a pity that they broke up, because their solo projects are still luchesh
  17. Apr 15, 2021
    10
    ¡Es asombroso! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️¡Es asombroso! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
  18. Nov 13, 2015
    10
    This album is absolutely brilliant. Their sound has really changed and their lyrics are so beautifully written. These boys aren't "bubblegum pop" anymore and they have totally proved that with this album. People should definitely have a listen.
  19. Nov 13, 2015
    10
    A oned evolui muito desde o Four, esse álbum é diferente de tudo o que eles já fizeram, eles sempre estão evoluindo e com o MITAM não foi diferente. O MITAM é aqueles álbuns que uma hora você pode estar dançando uma baladinha e em outra chorando vendo a chuva pela janela.
    Só não digo que é o melhor álbum porque o melhor álbum ainda está por vir.
    Reis, pisaram como sempre.
  20. Nov 13, 2015
    10
    Really good album. There are no specific subjects for the album, the songs talk about everything, since missing someone, to boys in clubs. The vocals are really good, they have improved so much these years. Really proud.
  21. Nov 13, 2015
    10
    Amazing album, amazing vocals, amazing lyrics. They've worked really hard on it and I just love it so much. With more maturity from One Direction, ome songs do you remember much in the 80s. My favorite songs on Made in the A.M are "Perfect", "History", "End of the Day", "What a Feeling", "Love You Goodbye", "Temporary Fix" and "AM".
  22. Nov 13, 2015
    9
    Amazing work! Each song sounds fresh and exciting! The lyrics are great. Boys have grown in terms of music, it can be seen. No doubt the 10 10!
    These songs get stuck for a long time in my playlist.
  23. Nov 13, 2015
    10
    Melhor album na minha opinião, mais amadurecimento nas músicas, muito gostoso de se ouvir, Olivia tem uma coisa que me faz querer ouvir mais e mais, A.M. também, ambas as músicas são minhas preferidas :)
  24. Nov 13, 2015
    10
    Seriously this is their best record to date ! I can't get enough of these songs ! they're all so so good and they reach a whole new level, it's an old style but modern at the same time ! And in addition it has this rock influence ! this is a total buzz
  25. Mar 25, 2016
    0
    Cheesy lyrics , weak vocals . Tomlinson is still irrelevant in the album , so predictable .
    I am sincerely sorry for all of you twelve-year-old girls who actually like One Direction, because you have NO TASTE IN MUSIC WHATSOEVER! Everything by One Direction or related to them is going to be crap. These four boys are the WORST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD for bringing crap like this into it. Please
    Cheesy lyrics , weak vocals . Tomlinson is still irrelevant in the album , so predictable .
    I am sincerely sorry for all of you twelve-year-old girls who actually like One Direction, because you have NO TASTE IN MUSIC WHATSOEVER! Everything by One Direction or related to them is going to be crap. These four boys are the WORST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD for bringing crap like this into it. Please girls, drop this, and go listen to AM and Up The Bracket. Please.
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  26. Mar 25, 2016
    1
    Made in the AM is overrated, mediocre, and lame. I wish their team wasn't influencing and buying out media outlets to write puff pieces favoring this dreck of an album. Zayn is sorely missed.
  27. Nov 13, 2015
    10
    Their sounds is much more mature, the lyrics are amazing; all the songs are so different from each other. Most of the album was written by them. I don't care if it will debut at #1 on Billboard 200 or not, this album was made for us, fans, and we just have to love it and be here for our boys! No competition, just enjoy the music...
  28. Nov 13, 2015
    10
    Um álbum fabuloso, que mostra a sua evolução em todos os aspectos, seja, liricamente, vocalmente, é definitivamente a mais pura obra-prima da carreira, que demonstra o quão talentosos são e prova para aqueles que os subestimaram, a capacidade que eles tem como artistas!
  29. Nov 22, 2015
    3
    The songs from this album feels like all the songs that didn't make it to its predecessors. They are pretty boring and the lyrics are very shallow. It's a pretty disappointing album to leave the fans for a boy group that will undergo hiatus.
  30. Nov 13, 2015
    10
    O álbum é muito bom, eles mostraram que realmente tem potencial, e isso é ótimo, talento não falta a eles, e eles realmente fizeram esse álbum de coração, não pra vender e nem nada e sim pra agradar as fãs e mostrar o seu potencial antes de dar uma pausa.
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Nov 16, 2015
    60
    On Made in the A.M. the group takes advantage of its nothing-to-lose position with a handful of cuts that feel even loosey-goosier than usual.
  2. Nov 16, 2015
    70
    Their songwriting shows growth, their vocals remain flawless, the production team continues to throw the occasional curveball to go along with the softballs, and there are plenty of songs that sound like the best pop music has to offer in 2015.
  3. Nov 16, 2015
    50
    Instead of making a One Direction farewell album, they made a Take That comeback album.