Louis Tomlinson 'comfortable' as he's being 'artist he'd always hoped' to be
Louis Tomlinson is "allowing himself" to be completely liberated. The musician, who todaycelebrates the release of his third solo album, How Did I Get Here?,has spent years mastering his own sound since his days in One Direction.
The 34-year-old from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, has always been known for his edgy style and songwriting skills, but six years on from his first solo album, it's safe to say that Tomlinson is now comfortable. However,Louis admits that it can still be "intimidating" to release material without his bandmates.
Speaking to American chat show host Jimmy Fallon, Tomlinson said: "I'm still learning and getting better as a singer and a songwriter. I find it impossible to be complacent; it's not in my vocabulary. For the first time now, I'm allowing myself to be the artist I'd always hoped to be."
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Reflecting on putting himself out there once again, Louis said: "I really, I really needed the last two tours that I did. You know, it's quite intimidating, leaving a band like One Direction and going out on your own, like that is not for the faint-hearted, no.
"And I really needed the confidence that I built up during the tour. And that's all thanks to the fans." And for Louis, his millions of fans, who this year will be flocking to arenas across the globe to see him live, give him the energy to continue.
He said: "It leaves me no room, really, for self-doubt. You know, every single night, doing what I'm doing and getting great reaction from the crowd." And while Louis is the first to admit he often hates the promotional touring side of his career, this time around, he's found comfort in it.
Speaking about his time in One Direction, and how that has helped shape him into the musician he is today, Tomlison said: "Every moment, every memory I have of One Direction is incredibly special, obviously. But that experience, it was relevant, but somewhat. Being in a band and doing things collectively and sharing the pressure, it's a very different version of the same thing.
"This is the record where I feel really comfortable with it. And I felt really comfortable making it. I really enjoyed the process. I'm even enjoying the promo, which is a new thing for me."
For his latest record, Tomlinson has honed in on his musical inspirations, including the likes of Oasis, with deep guitar riffs being heard throughout the album.
"I sum it up as 'the record I always deserved to make'," he recently said of his new album, adding: "My bread and butter is the honesty. I genuinely wear my heart on my sleeve, and I hope it comes through in the music."
Speaking in a new interview, Louis said that after his time in One Direction came to an end, he was aware that it's often one or two people from the band who become successful, not all members.
"That was really scary, because I was never going to put myself in that group of two ever," he commented to Billboard. Meanwhile, he told fans on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Going to need your help over the next few days to cut through the noise. Time to give this record the moment it deserves.
"Let me take this moment to say thank you to every single person that has supported me over the years. You are throughout this record and everything I do.
"This album would never have sounded the way it does without all the power and confidence you lot have given me. Thank, you, thank you, thank you! How did I get here?"
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