Upcoming British boy bands One Direction and The Wanted will give Justin Bieber a run for his money.
The bands have risen to the top of the charts, with both groups currently among the iTunes Top 10 and the Billboard Hot 100. With their pop flair and model features, One Direction and The Wanted fit the cookie-cutter boy-band mold for a new generation.
In the ’90s, groups like ‘N SYNC, the Backstreet Boys and Boyz II Men ushered in an era of screaming tweens with raging hormones addicted to boys and their merchandise.
The cycle continues with the recent appearance of One Direction on “The Today Show,” where they performed their single, “What Makes You Beautiful,” and the group’s upcoming television show on Nickelodeon.
This boy-band syndrome isn’t a bad thing. As a child of the ’90s, I can attest to being completely obsessed with the Backstreet Boys and wanting every album they released. The blend of ridiculously attractive men who could dance and sing has an effect on young girls I still don’t understand.
And if they have accents, the obsession only increases. The appeal of boy bands doesn’t stop at the age of 15. Many grown women, including University students, still cling to their old ’90s heartthrobs.
Although many won’t admit it, thousands of older women flocked to stadiums last summer to relive their childhood when New Kids on the Block and the Backstreet Boys reunited for their NKOTBSB tour. It’s an easy avenue to feel young again.
Perhaps One Direction and The Wanted will also appeal to an older age group.
The trend for 2012 shows a consistent appeal for entertainment from the U.K. in general. Artists like Coldplay, Adele and Jessie J have had great success with their records in an American market.
We see it on TV, too. Shows like “The X-Factor,” “American Idol” and “America’s Got Talent” are all remakes of popular British television shows.
The only downside of the new boy-band craze is the fluctuation of devotion from fans, which constantly changes whenever a new artist enters the competition.
Does anyone even remember the Jonas Brothers? After their introduction to teenyboppers in 2005, they practically fell off the map in 2009 and were promptly replaced by Bieber Fever.
For the time being, One Direction and The Wanted have produced catchy, bubbly hits that have carried the craze across the Atlantic. Only time will tell if they’re here to stay or just a perfectly manicured flavor of the week.
Raylea Barrow is a 20-year-old mass communication sophomore from Sugar Land, Texas.
 
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