Tomlinson's Album Overshadowed by Styles' Surprise Release

Louis Tomlinson's latest musical endeavor has been overshadowed by the surprise release of a new single from former One Direction bandmate Harry Styles. Styles, ending a near four-year hiatus, dropped his track "How Did I Get Here?" on the same day Tomlinson's album, "Aperture," was released in early 2026. Tomlinson stated he was unaware of Styles' release until just a few days prior, expressing this during a radio interview.

Sources close to the band suggest a significant rift exists between Tomlinson and Styles, with one insider claiming "Harry has no loyalty to Louis as it stands." This competitive timing is reminiscent of their shared past in One Direction, where Styles consistently garnered more spotlight. Tomlinson has spent three years crafting his new album, working with numerous songwriters in Costa Rica and Los Angeles, aiming to establish his identity as an artist separate from the boy band.

Despite their shared history, the relationship between Tomlinson and Styles appears to have deteriorated. The two have reportedly only been in the same room twice since One Direction's 2016 split. One such occasion was at Liam Payne's funeral in November 2024, where Tomlinson, who is dedicating a song to Payne, kept his distance from Styles.

Tomlinson's new album aims to showcase him as a mature artist, no longer defined by his past. While he maintains closer ties with former bandmate Zayn Malik, the dynamic with Styles remains contentious, with Tomlinson acknowledging lingering "anger" from their past.