Neil McCormick said that Made in the A.M. remained musically anthemic , up-tempo , superior pop , with elegant song structure , earworm hooks , and radio busting choruses .
He added that the `` other bandmembers pick up the slack [ of Malik 's absence ] impressively '' and that `` 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 '' .  Annie Zaleski of The A.V . Club commented that the album `` proudly ( and prominently ) feels indebted to other eras and totems of U.K. pop '' while adding that the album `` strives for timelessness '' and that `` even if the band members don ’ t return from their break , they can rest easy : they ’ ve gone out on a high note , because Made in the A.M. is One Direction ’ s best , most accomplished album '' .  Neil McCormick of The Daily Telegraph wrote that `` a slight tone of weariness may have crept into 1D ’ s lyrics with songs about break-ups and yearning for home but musically it remains anthemic , up-tempo , superior pop , with elegant song structure , ear worm hooks and radio busting choruses '' .  ? wgu=275405_73669_15747363897237_b381a581af & wgexpiry=1582512389 & WT.mc_id=tmgoff_paff-30828_subsoffers_basic_planit_us & utm_source=tmgoff & utm_medium=tmgoff_paff-30828 & utm_content=subsoffers_basic & utm_campaign=tmgoff_paff-30828_subsoffers_basic_planit_us Lewis Corner , writing for Digital Spy wrote that the album `` proves they have continued to push their style in unexpected ways '' , that it `` rounds off a phenomenal chapter in their career , bringing together the pop , rock and folky influences that helped them go from teenage upstarts to a billion dollar industry '' , and that `` for a group limited by the perception that they are just `` boyband pop '' , their music has become as accomplished as their shining achievements '' .  Caramanica of the New York Times had a more negative review , commenting that `` the music is too banal to support exceptional singing '' and that the album was `` rootless and vague '' .
Made in the A.M.