FOUR years ago, no one could have guessed the spectacular success five young boys put together on The X Factor could achieve, but achieve it they undoubtedly have.

And now, for the fourth consecutive year, they have a new album out just in time for Christmas, imaginatively named Four – you will not be disappointed.

Harry, Liam, Zayn, Niall and Louis present a grown-up version of their former selves, and with improved vocals and melodic rock sounds from the 1960s and 1970s, they’ve found the perfect balance that still delivers the catchy, radio-friendly melodies that never fail to prove popular with their millions of fans.

And let’s face it, it makes them crazy amounts of money.

After just one listen, you’ll be humming along as though you’ve known the new material for years. Opening with the lead single Steal My Girl, which has already become a 1D classic, song after song seems to satisfy.

Where Do Broken Hearts Go and Act My Age will particularly get the crowd bouncing when the boys go on the road again next year, while Night Changes and Fool’s Gold provide the heartfelt Little Things-esque ballads that will make you fall in love with them just that tiny bit more.

The band has had a lot of input with the songwriting this time around too, and it shows that they’ve found their feet.

The success of the last album Midnight Memories was a difficult feat to follow, but dare I say it, Four may have just pipped it to the post.