The British boy band, One Direction, announced a couple months back that they would be taking a break after they release their 5th album, Made in the A.M. On August 24th, member Louis Tomlinson tweeted, “Your support is truly indescribable! It’s just a break 🙂 we’re not going anywhere !!” The same day, another member, Niall Horan tweeted, “5 of the best years of our lives so far… Thank you all so much for your incredible support. I hope you guys realize[sic] what you’ve done for us.” He also added, “Can’t thank you enough to be honest … Don’t worry , we’ll be back .. Looking forward to chilling for a while now” 5 years for a boy band is considered the normal time before the band officially breaks up, but that’s not going to stop One Direction; they plan on coming back stronger than ever. After the band performed on the XFactor Britain finale, which was one of their last shows as a band for a while, Harry Styles tweeted, “To you, you have changed our lives with no words will ever be good enough to thank you for what we have done together.” 2016 will miss 1D, but we’re all excited for what’s in store when they come back.

Besides One Direction’s notorious break comes another bittersweet goodbye from our very own Taylor Swift. After Swift’s incredibly successful album and tour from her no.1 album 1989, she’s finally decided it’s time to give all the success a rest. A little while ago, Taylor’s fans learned that her mom has cancer, and she wants to take off to focus more on her family. She wants time to herself as well as taking care of her family and friends. Taylor might even be writing some new music while on this break! Junior Mackenzie Kean, who is a big Taylor Swift fan had something to add, “I’m going to miss hearing new music from Taylor, but I know she’ll be back before I know it. Hard working people deserve time to recharge their happiness, positivity, and motivation through relaxation.” Good luck Taylor!

Following Taylor Swift taking a leave of absence in the music industry comes the one and only Ed Sheeran. Just last Sunday Sheeran put all speculations about his whereabouts and third albums plans to rest via Instagram. Sheeran states, “Hello all. I’m taking a break from my phone, emails, and all social media for a while, I’ve had such an amazing ride over the last 5 years but I find myself seeing the world through a screen and not my eyes…” Sheeran later goes on to state, “… To my fans, the 3rd album is on its way and is the best thing I’ve made thus far. See you next autumn….” After two number one albums, Grammy nominations, music award performances, and world tours, Sheeran has finally decided it’s best to take us rest. See you next fall, Ed!

Although there have been some controversial breaks being taking in the music industry we’ve also had several major comebacks including the one and only Selena Gomez. Just this past October, Selena dropped her brand new album Revival, being ranked at no. 1 on Billboard’s 200 chart. Selena also had the honor in being the number 1 act at the previous Victoria’s Secret fashion show that aired December 8th. Best of all, Selena is now on a worldwide tour promoting and selling out major arenas daily. Selena’s future looks very promising, 2016 may very well be her year!

Going off the route of pop music, the band Panic! At The Disco is also making a comeback. They haven’t released an album since 2013, and earlier this year, they announced that their new album Death of a Bachelor will be out towards the end of January 2016. To make their return more exciting, the band dropped their new single “Victorious,” as well as releasing their song “Hallelujah” as the lead single for the album. They performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as a way to say that they’re coming back. Panic! At the Disco’s new album is kind of different than their other music, and their comeback should be one to remember.

The Jonas Brothers are back and better than ever… but now how you would think. After their break up in 2013, the brothers went their separate ways. In 2009, during the JoBros’ “break” from making music, he made one album with his band Nick Jonas and the Administration, but in 2015, he released his self titled solo album. His first single “Jealous” hit number 7 on Billboard’s top 100’s chart. In the future for 2016, he is going on tour with Demi Lovato and plans to release more music. As for his older brother Joe, he also tried the solo career during the bands’ break, but in 2015, he joined a different band named DNCE. He actually took the drummer from the Jonas Brothers and claimed him for his own. Their first single “Cake by the Ocean” was released in 2015 and is now a huge hit everywhere. They have an EP out called Swaay and it has a few very catchy songs.

2015 had a lot of ups and downs in the music world, yet they all seem to be going in a positive direction for artists and fans alike!