One Direction – 4 Stars

One Direction’s new sophomore effort, “Take Me Home,” is well on its way to top the Billboard charts at No. 1 with its impressive debut.

This English-Irish boy band means business, and its members have no intention of stopping until they “get some, and live while we’re young” according to the uptempo, bubble gum track, “Live While We’re Young.” This party anthem is sure to keep the band’s buzz going well throughout the years.

These teenagers really know how to keep up with their momentum because “Take Me Home” has 13 tracks, and they slay their debut album, “Up All Night.”

Billboard.com predicts that there is a chance for One Direction to finish the year with two of the year’s top 10 best-sellers, if “Take Me Home” performs solidly through Christmas.

The content of some of the songs on this album are subliminally rated R and should lean more towards keeping it PG-13 instead. It is a little much for teen pop, especially with the references to touching in the lyrics of “Kiss You.”

On the contrary, “The Little Things” and “Over Again,” ballads co-written by singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, add a totally new element to the album. Things are slower with the help of the gloomy sounds coming from the guitar strings, and the band’s normally preppy side is put on the back burner for these romantic moments.

“They Don’t Know About Us” is one track to keep on repeat. The band gives hope to lovebirds with lyrics about undeniable love that no one can come between.

“Take Me Home” is surely not a disappointment. Pop this disk in for almost any occasion with a younger audience.

Christina Aguilera – 2 1/2 Stars

Another album that came out this week by a popular artist was Christina Aguilera’s album, “Lotus.” The 13 songs on her seventh studio album, however, do not quite make the cut. There are not enough catchy beats or lyrics with pizazz that really stick out.

She does, however, attempt to appeal to the younger audience with her recent single, “Your Body” by trying to remind the world of her ear-striking vocal abilities.

With melodic ballads like “Blank Page” and an earth-shattering duet with Blake Shelton, titled “Just A Fool,”Aguilera still has a shot to win over the hearts of her older fans.

“Let There Be Love” is one of the gems on the albums that brings flavor to Lotus, and the songs “Cease Fire” and “Red Hot Kinda Love” live up to the Aguilera name.

Moving songs, “Make The World Move” featuring Cee Lo Green and “Army Of Me” bring forth the philanthropic side of Aguilera and have a positive message.

She still keeps it cute and sexy with “Around The World,” singing “baby just for tonight we’re making love with all around the world in the background.” This is the “Xtina” that people remember from her glory days.

Though she is a blossoming “lotus flower bomb” as R&B crooner Miguel would sing,  at the age of 31, she is still committed to giving fans a glimpse of her different sides. Her last album, “Bionic,” was more of a super mommy, empowering movement effort.

Some of the songs should not have made the cut for the album, but there are still head nodding tracks that are very engaging.