GO YOUR OWN WAY

Who are the artists that have thrived since departing from their groups? What made their solo careers so successful? We asked our contributors for their thoughts...

Gwen Stefani

Few people can be defined as style icons during the 00s, but Gwen Stefani sits at the throne of pop royalty. After leaving ska-punk band No Doubt to pursue her solo career, people thought she was destined to fail; after all, how can you beat feminist bangers like ‘Just a Girl’ or ‘Don’t Speak’? Fast forward to 2004 and the charts are rocked by the legendary pop album ‘Love Angel Music Baby’, named after Stefani’s own Harajuku girls squad. Having released undeniable bops in her music career such as ‘Rich Girl’, ‘Hollaback Girl’ and ‘What You Waiting For?’, Stefani has immortalised herself as a genre changing legend who continues to serve electric performances and new music today. No matter the playlist, Stefani’s discography holds the essential anthems for any memorable house party. words by: Alanya Smith

Harry Styles

Harry Styles rose to fame as a member of One Direction. His solo career began in 2017, and he has since become one of the biggest names in music today. Harry’s break away from One Direction marked a noticeable shift in his aesthetic, as he developed from the ‘boy next door’ to a boundary-pushing style icon. The change in Harry’s image is reflected through his music too, with playful, innovative tracks like ‘Cinema’ seeming a world away from One Direction’s cringy teen-pop. Harry’s successful solo career in music has also led to acting roles, fashion campaigns, and the formation of an extremely dedicated fanbase across the world. Harry’s former bandmates have mostly been supportive of his solo career. However, in a recent interview, Liam Payne bragged about his personal achievements since leaving the band, claiming that he is the most successful artist to emerge from One Direction. Whilst it is true that all five members have achieved individual success in their own right, no one has done

it quite like Harry Styles. Harry’s decision to rebrand has positioned him in a league of his own, whereas Liam, Louis, Niall and Zayn seem to still be existing in the shadow of One Direction. words by: Maddie Balcombe Tyler, The Creator

Odd Future: the group that non-hip-hop heads may not even know birthed some of the most influential rap and r&b artists of our generation. To name a few, the group founded Frank Ocean, Earl Sweatshirt, Syd from The Internet and the 20-member ensemble’s leader, Tyler the Creator. Thanks to the group’s shock factor in its lyrics, visuals, and comedy, not to mention its popularisation of brands such as Supreme, Odd Future had made its mark in the hip-hop world as one of the most influential groups of the 2010s. Stemming from the ideology of not caring what others think, Tyler Okonma’s lifestyle is completely translated into his art, to where it feels like a personal letter to his fans. Odd Future’s controversial lyrics and dark themes were a vehicle for Okonma’s own teenage feelings of confusion and rejection. Collectively, Tyler shaped Odd Future to be a group that not only produced music, but clothing, sketches, and intricate music videos. Tyler’s involvement as a creative for Odd Future and his transparency in everything that he makes is exactly what made him successful as an independent artist today. With two Grammy-winning albums and the streetwear brand Golf Wang, Tyler shows how honesty in his likes and dislikes leads to success.

Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney bared his depression over the end of The Beatles in his first solo albums in 1970. Through beautifully sad ballads such as ‘Junk’, ‘Dear Friend’ and ‘Maybe I’m Amazed’, many fans believed he was communicating his feelings towards John Lennon through song. Then came RAM – an amazing album, full of low-fi sunshine pop with an emphasis on hooks. It was hugely influential in the creation of ‘indie’ music and ‘bedroom pop’, but at the time it was lambasted by critics convinced by Lennon that Paul was to blame. Paul gained more confidence working in a band and so came Wings; ‘Band on The Run’ from 1973 is their pinnacle; an album packed with hits. The Beatle generation liked the old magic and their children liked ‘Wings’. However, the public opinion of Paul in the 1980s was as a has-been who made songs for granny and The Frog Chorus, infamous for cheesy duets with Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. Steadily, since the reinterest in the Beatles planted by Britpop and bolstered by some great 21st century records, Paul has deservedly had a cultural retribution as a pop genius - his Glastonbury set this year was undoubtedly the festival’s highlight. words by: Billy Edwards

words by: Eleanor Byrne design by: Eleanor Byrne