“Slow Hands” is a step up from “This Town,” But Niall Horan could stand to take even more risks artistically.

Niall Horan has returned – seemed like it took forever.  Context? Horan dropped his debut single, “This Town” back in Fall 2016.  “This Town” ultimately performed well, though arguably, it was a bit of a bore.  Sure, the vocals were nice and the sensitivity respectable, but “This Town” wasn’t a hard-hitting statement.  Second single “Slow Hands” isn’t necessarily hard-hitting either, but packs more punch and more oomph than “This Town” easily.

Sex can definitely supercharge a song.  Okay, okay, Niall never utters the three-letter word, but innuendo is written all over “Slow Hands.” Take the first line from the first verse:

“We should take this back to my place / That’s what she said right to my face.”

Later on, on the same verse, Horan goes on to add, “I’ve been thinkin’ ‘bout it all day.” What, has he been thinkin’ ‘bout exactly? On the second verse, things get even steamier:

“We could do this baby, all night, yeah / ‘Cause I want you bad…”

There’s also the bridge:

“Fingertips puttin’ on a show / Got me now and I can’t say no / Wanna be with you all alone / Take me home, take me home.”

Yep, sex is the culprit.  We didn’t really have to go any further than the chorus, which is dripping in it:

“Slow, slow hands / Like sweat dripping down our dirty laundry / No, no chance / That I’m leaving here without you on me / I, I know / Yeah, I already know there ain’t no stopping / Your plans and those / Slow hands.”

Final Thoughts 

So, how does “Slow Hands” stack up? It’s respectable, but cliché. Easily, this is more thrilling than “This Town,” which was too safe.  Still, “Slow Hands” is still too safe, even while referencing sex. No, Niall doesn’t come off as the type to drop f-bombs in reference to the act, nor does he need to.  But, he could stand to take more risks in general.

Niall Horan • Slow Hands – single • Capitol • Release: 5.5.17

Photo Credits: Capitol