NEW YORK, USA – One Direction on Tuesday, September 22 announced a new album for later this year, putting to rest speculation of an imminent breakup following the departure of Zayn Malik. (READ: One Direction squashes rumors they're breaking up)
The British boy band said that Made in the A.M. would come out on November 13. The album is the 5th by the pop sensations, with one released every year since 2011, always in November – in time for the holiday shopping season. (WATCH: One Direction's 'Drag Me Down' music video)
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The 4 remaining members of the band made the announcement in a short video posted on Twitter. Band member Harry Styles promised an "instant treat" of one song, entitled "Infinity," available for download to fans who pre-order the album.
The album marks a new "direction" for the band in one sense – it will be the first without Malik, a founding member who split in March. (READ: PH fans react to news that Zayn Malik won't come to Manila)
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<blockquote class="twitter-video" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The guys have an exciting announcement for you... <a href="https://t.co/J2IdOIJSYD">https://t.co/J2IdOIJSYD</a></p>— One Direction (@onedirection) <a href="https://twitter.com/onedirection/status/646346760315506689">September 22, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Malik's departure led to surprisingly bitter exchanges on social media among the former bandmates who until then had carefully maintained a squeaky-clean public image.
In another break from the youthful past, member Louis Tomlinson, 23, recently confirmed that he is going to be a father with a Los Angeles stylist.
The personal changes led to speculation that One Direction was finished, especially given the notoriously short shelf-life of boy bands.
Member Niall Horan denied the rumors on Twitter last month, writing: "We are not splitting up, but we will be taking a well-earned break at some point next year."
Amid the tumult, the band has been on tour for most of the year, starting in February in Australia. The tour is scheduled to conclude on October 30 in Sheffield, England.
One Direction released its first track without Malik last month – "Drag Me Down," which quickly went to the top of singles charts.
One Direction stormed onto the scene in 2010 when the then-teenagers appeared on the British talent show The X Factor.
The band has since sold more than 65 million albums, according to its label. – Rappler.com
More One Direction on Rappler here:
Zayn Malik:
- CONFIRMED: Zayn Malik leaves One Direction
- In tweets: Fans react to news that Zayn Malik is leaving One Direction
- PH fans react to news that Zayn Malik won't come to Manila
- Zayn Malik of One Direction will not perform in Manila concert
- Zayn Malik in One Direction: 5 unforgettable moments
- One Direction members speak up about Zayn Malik's departure
- WATCH: One Direction on Zayn's exit: 'We were angry at first'
- One Direction's Louis Tomlinson in Twitter fight with Zayn Malik
- Zayn Malik and Perrie Edwards end engagement – report
- WATCH: Perrie Edwards addresses Zayn Malik breakup
One Direction in Jakarta:
One Direction in Manila:
Day 2
Day 1
- IN PHOTOS: One Direction in Manila concert, day 1
- Watch clips from One Direction live in Manila, day 1
Arrival
Other news:
- One Direction pays 'marijuana bond' to Philippines – govt
- One Direction concert organizers must pay cash bond for 1D to perform
- Two members of One Direction caught smoking on video
- One Direction to perform in Manila in 2015
- One Direction releases first single without Zayn Malik
- One Direction's Louis Tomlinson to be a father – reports
- One Direction squashes rumors they're breaking up
- WATCH: One Direction's 'Drag Me Down' music video
- Little boy teaches One Direction how to nae nae
- One Direction breaks streaming record with surprise song
- Simon Cowell speaks up on controversial One Direction video
- One Direction to go on extended break – reports