Harry Styles has finally released an album, after four years of no releases, and two years of being out of the public eye. This album came as a shock to the music community, with very fast promotions and the release of one single before the full album.
The lead single, and first song on the album, is titled Aperture. Described by many as a misleading single, Aperture sets the tone with a strong dance-electro pulse that follows us throughout the album. This pulse follows us into the second track, American Girls, which sounds like a high-end ballad inspired by The 1975.
The production truly deserves a gold star, or several. The instrumentation consistently is pushed to the front, and earns its place through intricate drum rhythm and piano melodies that fill the space, this album is definitely meant to be played out loud, whether that be in a car or on a cruddy bluetooth speaker.
Because of the reliance on this heavy production, some reviews have said the lyricism and vocal delivery from Styles is lackluster, with lyrics that lack emotional vulnerability with the audience. Cited by Pitchfork as being “terrified of exposing himself that he’s unwilling to fundamentally change his formula at all.” Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally has been inspired by the clubs of Berlin, LCD Soundsystem, and then processed through a Los Angeles’ producer toolkit.
Personally, I found the album energizing, and just in time for spring. The production is a little heavy, sure, and the vocals could be more, as we’ve heard from Styles in the past, but as stated previously; this is meant to be played in a space. Some songs, like The Waiting Game or Coming Up Roses, Carla’s Song, those are softer and more intimate, made more for walking down the sidewalk with your headphones on. Others are meant to be blasted in the car – Taste Back, Are You Listening Yet?, Dance No More, and Pop – I need you with your windows down and sunglasses on with a good beverage speeding down the highway with these playing, and then get back to me.
Even with criticisms present on his lyricism, Styles still is trying to convey a message with this album. As mentioned prior, the electronic pulse of this album is ever-present, constantly there and pulling you into the music, forcing you to listen. This album – to me at least – is about bringing people together, and seeing that human connection. Styles took a step outside of his comfort zone with this album, and each song sounds a little different, while also “blending together” according to the critics, but that electronic pulse brings them all under that common theme. The connection, almost like a heartbeat, ties it all together.
One of the places people connect the most is a concert, with the flashing lights, loud music, sweat, and pure love in the air, and Harry Styles is famous for that. This album almost transports you to one of those moments, providing the emotional rollercoaster of an experience like that, but one thing is keeping it all together – the human aspect, the pulse.