REVIEW: Louis Tomlinson’s ‘Faith in the Future’ unveils a story of heartbreak

Joshua Cedro|November 16, 2022

Louis Tomlinson’s songs experiment with an indie and punk genre, offering listeners a new side of him.

Former One Direction member Louis Tomlinson released his second album, “Faith in the Future,” on Friday, Nov. 11. The album consists of 16 tracks lasting around 52 minutes, providing listeners with a new style of music compared to his first album, “Walls.”

Tomlinson’s first album, “Walls” felt more structured and pop-like, containing songs with serious, slow and soft themes. “Faith in the Future” feels less structured and contains lesser-known and experimental genres, such as pop-punk, indie and indie-rock.

An example of this new approach is shown in one of the album’s most popular tunes, “Bigger Than Me,” an indie and pop melody about change and how the world is bigger than just one person.

“When somebody told me I would change / I was afraid, I don’t know why / ‘Cause so does the world outside, I realized / And it’s bigger than me,” Tomlinson sings.

The album takes a turn with “Written All Over Your Face,” a track about a rocky relationship and how one person clearly wants out. The song has a sass-punk edge and gives off rowdy, rough and confident energy.

“When I hеar that thunder in the distance / I know it’s gеtting close / You’re giving me that silent treatment / Don’t know what it’s achieving / … / Can we please get back to loving? / When it’s good, it’s really something / Can we please get back to us?” Tomlinson sings.

Tomlinson returns to the indie-themed ballads with “Lucky Again,” a song about the days of the past and taking second chances.

“We were lucky once, could be lucky again / I’m a hard man to find / But you figured it out and I love you for that / Look back on a time / I was lucky once, I could be lucky again,” Tomlinson sings.

“Out of My System” is a tune that flips the album to a more gritty, punk rock vibe about forgetting everything and living life to the fullest.

“Demons, I’m takin’ all of my demons / Putting them where I won’t see them / ‘Cause I just wanna feel alive / I am only half of what / I think I can be / Gotta get it out of my system,” Tomlinson sings.

“Holding Onto Heartache,” is an indie-pop anthem that takes a softer approach with the melody. The record is about being heartbroken and struggling to move on from it.

“I called you twice, but then regretted it /And changed my number / The questions that I’d ask you / ‘Where did it all go wrong?’ / There’s endless versions of the thing / That keeps me driftin’ back to darkness,” Tomlinson sings.

There is a clear difference between “Walls” and “Faith in the Future,” and it pays off. Louis Tomlinson’s new approach and style of music in “Faith in the Future” provides its audience with songs that speak to the hearts of listeners. The album is not perfect, and some may not enjoy the deconstructed style of it, but for those who listen to music for the passion and raw lyrics, Tomlinson’s sophomore album is the perfect album and will not disappoint.