No more cowbells, no more Kidz Bop production, no more half-assed fillers. One Direction have made an album actually worthy of its status as biggest boy band in the world. “Take Me Home” is an acceptance of One Direction’s place as heir to the British invasion throne, from Queen’s drums in “Rock Me” to The Clash’s guitars in “Live While We’re Young” to Take That’s campy ’90s sound in “I Would.” The album boasts some criminally catchy bubble gum pop-rock songs like “Kiss You” and “Heart Attack,” either of which could match “What Makes You Beautiful” in popularity and actually deserve it this time. The only times “Take Me Home” flops hard are in “Little Things” and “Over Again,” a pair of drippy, cringe-worthy acoustic ballads fans are better off skipping. With stronger material and room for creative input of their own, One Direction prove they’re not all tight pants and questionable hair, but a vocal powerhouse with a charmed touch for pop music.

Grade: B-