When One Direction decided to forge ahead to make their upcoming fifth album and first as a foursome, they realized that things were pretty different without Zayn Malik. But in some ways, it remained the same.

"I think it was obviously different, the process, because there was one less of us, but at the same time, it didn't change in terms of the writing of the album," Harry Styles told Coup de Main. "I think the focus over the last five years has always been the same in that we want to make the best record we can, and I think that didn't change in anyway. I think everyone was on the same page. We wanted to work really hard on the album and make something that we are proud of, which fortunately, we feel like we have done."

The guys will release Made In The A.M. on Nov. 13, the same day as Justin Bieber's Purpose, which is totally "fine," since this entire album process and Zayn's departure has only made them stronger.

"We've very much grown stronger probably through the realization that we all have the same goals for a lot of things, and I think it was nice to have the album as a common ground that we all kind of thought, we all want to make this the best record that we've made," Harry said. "And we're very happy with it and we feel like we've done that."

Following the release of their album and the conclusion of their On The Road Again Tour, the foursome -- Harry, Niall, Louis and Liam -- will be taking a well-deserved break and haven't even thought about what will happen after that.

"I think we are all going to take some time off and spend time with friends and family and just hang out for a little while, which will be a lot of fun," Harry said. "We are very focused on finishing the tour, and obviously the album is coming out, which is the biggest thing for us right now, and I don't think we've looked a month past that, to be honest. It's hard for us to look past that."