NIALL STEPS UP TO
THE PLATE

Niall Horan sprang a brand-new single, “Slow Hands,” first thing this morning—and it's already #1 at iTunes here and in 32 other countries.

Niall's also been exploding at Top 40 and Hot AC radio in the U.S. and is getting teased like crazy on BBC Radio 1.

The Capitol artist is the latest erstwhile One Direction member to fire a shot in what’s shaping up as a battle royale—Harry Styles now has two tracks in the marketplace in front of his Columbia debut album, dropping 5/12, while ZAYN, who was first out of the blocks, maintains his momentum on RCA. We're also hearing that a new track from Liam Payne is in the offing via Republic.

The song is also getting some ardent critical love. Noisey has already proclaimed that "Niall Horan's 'Slow Hands' may be the best thing an ex-One Direction member has ever done."

Which of these blokes will come out on top? We don't know, which is why they play the game, and why we watch it.