“Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally”
Harry Styles’ new album “Kiss All The Time. Disco Occasionally” has been a long time coming for Harry’s fans, who call themselves “harries”.
After finishing a 3 year tour “Love On Tour” Styles went on a 3 year break, leaving fans wondering when and if he was going to come back. It’s safe to say they were ecstatic when he announced his return! However, this album is nothing like his previous album “Harry’s House”. This album taps into more adventurous territory than Styles has ever experimented with before.
The 12 track record jumps straight in with its leading single “Aperture” giving the album a feel for a kind of house, dance-pop vibe. “Aperture” also gave Styles his third No. 1 hit on the Hot 100.
As you get further into the track there’s a clear mix of self reflection and tension. “Pop” is a playful synth-pop track, suggesting themes of exploring different things, or even multiple things at once. This album is fun, flirtatious, and vibrant.
In the middle of the album it abruptly goes from “Season 2 Weight Loss” to “Coming Up Roses”.
“Season 2 Weight Loss” has a very harsh beat, but a softer meaning. Styles explained that this track is about the process of becoming an improved version of himself and said “I felt like I was coming back as like a stronger version of myself.”
Whilst track 8 “Coming Up Roses” is an orchestral waltz and piano-led ballad, all about a reflection on the beauty and value of relationships, even those that don’t last forever. Styles said: “not everything has to last forever in order for it to be special”
The closing song of the album, “Carla’s Song” is a song about Styles’ friend discovering her love for music, especially dipping into her experience listening to “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel.
In an interview with Zane Lowe, Styles said: “Watching her listen to it, having never heard the song, felt like i was just watching someone discover magic.”
Styles explained in the same interview, that he made this album for himself more than anyone else- which differs from some of his other music. He recalls writing and releasing songs for the enjoyment of the listeners rather than himself.
I think this album perfectly captures what Styles wanted it to capture. In a time where most pop stars cling onto any sort of fame / popularity, Styles is the odd one out. This album doesn’t seem desperate to be loved, Styles knows his fans are going to stick by his side no matter what, so why not please himself and make an album that is 100% him.