Kitty Empire of The Guardian had positive comments for their One Direction 's third album , in particular the new maturity of the group .
`` `` '' Chris Payne of Billboard wrote that the album `` '' follows up on what worked best on last year 's Take Me Home and tosses in some proficient new ideas to keep listeners eager for the band 's continued evolution '' '' while noting the new prominence of the guitar in the songs.  Kitty Empire of the The Guardian commented that `` '' after two albums of flirting , hand-holding and coltish fumbling at parties , One Direction might just have finally gone all the way on their third album '' '' and that `` '' this album does the job , in more ways than one '' '' while commenting specifically of the new maturity of the group and the `` '' rockier '' '' sound.  Writing with USA Today , Brian Mansfield complimented the songwriting of Tomlinson and Payne while noting the `` '' elements of power pop in the shouted choruses of the riffy title track and the trebly guitar chords '' '' while adding `` '' the best songs here ... suggest the group 's finest memories may still lie ahead '' '' .  Sam Lansky of Idolator complimented the album , calling it `` '' one of the sturdier pop releases in recent memory '' '' and commenting they One Direction `` '' have proven themselves to be a surprisingly reliable pop act , and here , as ever , the choruses soar marvelously , the harmonies are pleasing , the production is taut and the songcraft is beyond reproach '' '' .  ? safari=1 & Exc_D_LessThanPoint002_p1=1 Annie Zaleski of The A.V . Club said the album `` '' isn�t a genre game-changer '' '' but that `` '' there�s enough personality , charm , and dramatic solos to satisfy fans , and enough incremental moves toward artistic credibility to at least give the band a chance at an enduring career '' '' .  Eric Henderson of Slant Magazine noted that the group `` '' tossed aside the wilted tissues of their adolescent pop trifles in favor of protein-blasted rock anthems and mountain-man acoustic ballads '' '' while also commenting on the '80s rock sound.  Writing with Spin , Alfred Soto deemed Midnight Memories `` '' the best boy-band album since No Strings Attached while complimenting the `` '' inspired juxtapositions like early-�60s twang guitar and parade-ground beats '' '' .  ''
Midnight Memories