"One Thing" One Direction

Unlike their compatriots The Wanted, that other breakout British boy band, One Direction, has carved a welcome niche for itself on pop radio as a blast of bubblegum bliss amidst the increasingly tiresome barrage of raging synths. Debut single "What Makes You Beautiful" was a candy-coated guilty pleasure, and follow-up "One Thing" is a pleasant knock-off: another jaunty guitar riff, more innocent expressions of young love, and of course, a joyously enormous chorus. "Thing" doesn't reach the same ecstatic highs as its predecessor, but it proves that 1D has got a serviceable formula on its hands. If they can keep the tween girls screaming all summer long, then it might be time to call this battle in favor of Niall, Zayn, Liam, Louis and Harry. B