Every five years or so, producers or TV show directors pick a few boys—or brothers if they are lucky—dress them up, send them through a few practices, put them on stage and voila! A new boy band has been created.

However, it only takes a few more years before the boy band breaks up and a new one takes its place. The most recent group to fall into the boy-band-cycle-of-doom was One Direction.

Zayn Malik left the band first in March 2015. While the remaining four members swore that One Direction would last, they broke up in early 2016.

Malik left because of creative differences, according to Rolling Stone. But the creative differences weren’t obvious until Malik released his first solo album “Mind of Mine” in 2016. His song “Pillow Talk” prefaced the album, debuting his new sound through a slow but bass-filled club track.

The rest of his album followed a darker R&B/electronic vibe—far different from his boyish, pop song roots. His fast-paced jam “Befour” begins with a faded intro before moving into a constant upbeat chorus, following the sexy album theme.

But Malik took a few chances to slow down on the track, featuring a few slow songs. In his ballad “Fool For You,” he swapped the electronic effects for a piano and guitar. This switch forces Malik into the forefront of the song, allowing listeners to grasp the full range of his voice.

Malik wasn’t the only member to venture on his own, however. Both former One Direction members Niall Horan and Harry Styles began their solo careers in 2016. Their debuts made it obvious that Malik wasn’t the only one with “creative differences.” Instead, each artist created their own sound that was nothing like the preppy boy band they once were.

Horan released “This Town” in November 2016. The single featured only Horan and his acoustic guitar, making the song feel personal. He sings about a lost love that he can’t forget.

He also released an upbeat single “Slow Hands” in May 2017. Even though the song has more energy, it doesn’t divert from his soft, meaningful, guitar-filled ambience.

Five months after Horan’s debut, Styles launched his solo career, dropping his single “Sign of the Times” in April 2017. Like “This Town,” “Sign of the Times” starts slow, but after an awkward high-pitched transition, Styles reaches the chorus. Unlike Horan’s piece, the speed and various instrumentals give “Sign of the Times” a soft rock vibe, while his lyrics and voice provide nostalgia.

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Despite coming from the same band, Styles, Horan and Malik developed their own styles while pursuing their solo careers. Everyone will be waiting for the next boy band to roll around, but the music world is a better place without One Direction. However, it’s also a better place with the individual voices of the three former members.