Fans of One Direction are buzzing with speculation that Louis Tomlinson has subtly criticized Harry Styles, as both former bandmates gear up to release new music simultaneously.

Louis, now 34, is scheduled to unveil his album “How Did I Get Here?” on Friday, January 23. Coincidentally, Harry, 31, has chosen the same day to debut his new single titled “Aperture.”

Harry, a three-time Grammy Award winner, has already stirred significant excitement on social media with announcements of his forthcoming album, “Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally,” along with the new single.

The anticipation surrounding Harry’s release suggests he might swiftly clinch the top spot on the charts. Meanwhile, Louis is also aiming for chart success with his own album and single.

Ahead of this highly anticipated release date, Louis addressed his 28.8 million followers on X, expressing his awareness of the challenging situation and requesting their support in helping his music stand out amid the competition.

He penned: ‘Going to need your help over the next few days to cut through the noise. Time to give this record the moment it deserves!’

One Directionfans have claimed that Louis Tomlinsonhas ‘thrown shade’ at Harry Stylesas the former bandmates prepare to drop new music on the same day

Louis, 34, is set to drop his album How Did I Get Here? on Friday, January 23, the same day Harry, 31, has announced he will be releasing his new single, Aperture; pictured 2013

Fans quickly took to the comments to ask the Lemonade singer if he is ‘throwing shade’ at his former bandmate Harry. 

They wrote: ‘”cut through the noise” why do I feel like this is harry shade?; Is he trying to shade… Harry?; Oh Harry Styles when I catch you’.

Louis hasn’t responded to accusations of making a dig at the Watermelon Sugar singer but did post a ‘thank you’ to those who had supported him.

He penned: ‘Let me take this moment to say thank you to every single person that has supported me over the years. You are throughout this record and everything I do. 

‘This album would never have sounded the way it does without all the power and confidence you lot have given me. Thank you, thank you, thank you! How did I get here?’

Daily Mail have contacted Louis’ representatives for comment. 

It has been a busy week for Directioners as Harry and Louis prepare to drop new music, Zayn Malik kicked-off his Las Vegas residency and Niall teased a new single Drive Safe with singer Myles Smith.

Louis showed his support to Niall on Instagram writing, ‘Love this!’ under the announcement post. 

Harry has already gained huge attention after revealing his new album Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally and single which is bound to shoot to number one which is unfortunate for Louis

Taking to X ahead of the release, Louis appears to be aware of the conundrum and asked his 28.8million X followers for their ‘help cutting through the noise’

Fans quickly took to the comments to ask the Lemonade singer if he is ‘throwing shade’ at his former bandmate Harry

Louis hasn’t responded to accusations of making a dig at the Watermelon Sugar singer but did post a ‘thank you’ to those who had supported him

So far, Louis, who’s 2022 album Faith in the Future secured number one in the UK, has released three singles for his new album How Did I Get Here?, titled Imposter, Palaces, and Lemonade.

Lemonade managed to crack the top 30 in the UK singles chart after being release in September but follow-up single Palaces failed to make a splash.

Harry has previously released three solo albums, Harry Styles (2017), Fine Line (2019), and Harry’s House (2022). 

The British star has gone on to win three Grammy Awards, one for singer Watermelon Sugar and two for his album Harry’s House. 

Harry and Louis’ relationship has been a complicated over the years, with plenty of rumours that they had fallen out in 2015 when One Direction split.

The pair denied the speculation, with their bandmate Niall Horan calling them all ‘brothers’, which they have all reiterated at various times in the decade since.

As Harry announced his new album Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally, which is set to be released on March 6, he paid a subtle tribute to his late One Direction bandmate Liam Payne.

The singer, who found fame with Liam in the band in 2010, honoured his friend in a sweet way while announcing his new music.

Liam died from polytrauma age 31 after falling from a third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina on October 16, 2024.

It has been a busy week for Directioners as Harry and Louis prepare to drop new music, Zayn Malik kicked-off his Las Vegas residency 

Meanwhile Niall Horan (R) teased a new single Drive Safe with singer Myles Smith (L) and Louis showed his support on Instagram writing, ‘Love this!’ under the announcement post

His funeral, which was held in Amersham, Bucks, was attended by all of his former bandmates: Harry, Zayn, Niall and Louis.

One of the floral tributes visible on the day was in the shape of a set of bowling pins, which were a nod to Liam’s favourite pastime.

This was referenced by Harry in the images to announce his new album, where he is wearing a bowling pin print shirt underneath a yellow jumper and red tie.

Liam had spent his birthday in August bowling with his family and girlfriend Kate Cassidy just weeks before he fell from the hotel balcony.

He took to Snapchat during the celebrations and was full of jokes teasing to his followers that his security guard would be sacked if he beat him again bowling.

In 2012, the Daily Mail documented how the One Direction bandmates spend their free time, with Harry and Liam opting for a game of bowling.

The two friends were photographed bowling together during a Christmas break that year in Southport, England.

So far, Louis, who’s 2022 album Faith in the Future secured number one in the UK, has released three singles for his new album How Did I Get Here?, titled Imposter, Palaces, and Lemonade

Harry announced his new album Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally, which is set to be released on March 6

Harry and Louis found fame on The X Factor in 2010 alongside One Direction bandmate Niall, Zayn and the late Liam Payne; pictured 2013 

Following Liam’s death, Harry and the rest of the band described feeling ‘completely devastated’.

‘In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say,’ they said.

‘But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.

‘The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.

‘We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam – Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.’

Louis, Harry and Zayn all later released separate tributes.