One Direction fans were completely torn up when news surfaced that band members have decided to quit singing for a while and take an indefinite hiatus starting March 2016.
Several questions popped up after the news broke out, such as how long will the band be taking a break? Does this mean they are separating for good? What made the band decide on taking a break?
Long-time One Direction producer and songwriter Julian Bunetta sought to answer some of these burning questions, and in an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly, he simply said: "I know they're taking a much-deserved break."
When asked if the band's forthcoming fifth album would be their last, Bunetta was noncommittal with his answer: "They've been doing something that no band has ever done - five albums, five tours, and a movie in five years. It's pretty prolific and incredible. It's up to them. They might take a year off and miss it. They might take a year off and say you know what, I need another year off."
Bunetta has been busy working with the band on their forthcoming collection, and he is credited for some One Direction hits such as "Story Of My Life" and "Fireproof."
The producer asked fans to be a bit more understanding with the boys' need for a normal life, and who knows, after taking this break, they might develop a new zest to go back to work.
"I think it's important for them to have a relationship that isn't strained by being gone all the time. It's important for them to do whatever they want as individual men and not have to make a democratic decision for once. I think it's important for them to do whatever their hearts desire. Maybe their hearts will lead them back together. I hope," he said.
One of the band's members Zayn Malik left the band in March and decided to venture out on his own, and his new solo project will be released soon. His departure really broke his band mates' hearts, but aside from that, Bunetta said that nothing else has changed.
"Obviously there's a personality missing, but they're still the same guys," Bunetta said. "They still have the same attitudes. It's not like it's worse or better. It's just the same guys, but there's one missing. It just changes the dynamic regardless."
The first single of their new album is called "Drag Me Down" and it features a more mature and exciting sound. Bunetta said that most of their new songs are in the same vein.
"We're stretching out outside of the perimeters of what a traditional pop boy band would do. We're just kind of having fun. No rules," he said. "To be honest, I think there are six songs that could be singles on here."
