Harry Styles has brought nothing short of style in his 15-year-long career, and his newest album, Kiss All the Time, Disco Occasionally is a testament to that.
March 6 saw the end of Style’s almost 4-year hiatus with a brand new album running at 42 minutes with just 12 songs. Style’s introduces a synth pop vibe in this earworm of an album.
The album starts off with the first single from the album, “Aperture.” A mysterious start to the album, Styles gives a song that raises anyone’s paranoia, but also excitement. A synthetic piano leading the verse, Styles creates an energetic beat, being a perfect contrast to the lyrism. While fans have been indecisive about his comeback single, “Aperture” acts as a perfect introduction to Kiss All The Time.
“American Girls” is nothing but euphoric for the second track, a slower beat compared to the previous song, but nonetheless as spirited. Styles creates a catchy tune with a heavy emphasis on the use of drums and bass, with a heartbeat for a tempo. This song can get anybody moving to the music.
With a strong bass line, we are led into the next song, “Ready, Steady, Go!” a higher octave than what we have seen. Styles brings a club-hopping experience with this song. A high-paced song that makes you want to twirl, you can’t help but mouth along with the catchy tune.
A quiet hum followed by hands clapping and drums blaring, “Are You Listening Yet?” makes a strong first impression. Styles bring a quicker pace than the previously mentioned songs.
‘Taste Back” is the most reminiscent of Styles’ older work, comparing it to his junior album “Harry’s House.”
“Taste Back” follows a similar tempo to the previous song, but with a much quieter tone. A song following a love that has long since passed, but what if that love is still needed? This song acts as a nice break in between all the more energetic songs.
“The Waiting Game” is more slow paced then what we have seen so far, yet it works. While it can get lost in the other lively tunes, “The Waiting Game” sets in its place with an acoustic guitar opening bleeding into the synth sounds. “Coming Up Roses” is one of the few songs with a complete 180 from what we have seen. It’s slower, yes, but it’s also softer. A use of more orchestral instruments and the gentle plucking of violins carries you somewhere that IS where you kiss all time, but there is no place for disco in this ballad.
In true Harry Styles fashion, an upbeat club song follows the ballad in the form of “Pop.” Another song reminiscent of the singer’s previous album, but far superior in many ways. A catchy foot-stomping beat, completed with a lower octave chorus from Styles, there is no denying this at any party.
“Dance No More” oddly enough feels like a girls night out. While it isn’t the strongest song on the album, by no means does that mean it’s a weak song. Leaning heavily into the synth sound, it creates a club scene that you can’t help but smile and jump to.
“Paint By Number” is the most somber of the songs on the album. The song is something that we have not seen throughout the entire album. The feeling of being back in our youth as “kids with water guns,” the song deals with mortality and the grief of losing friends who watched us grow. While on the shorter side for this album, Styles tells us what we need to know in a more acoustic setting than the rest, with soft sounds of trumpet and guitar, creating a warm feeling of nostalgia in one’s chest.
Styles closes his album out with “Carla’s Song,” and while more upbeat than the previous song, it doesn’t carry the energy that was carried in the rest of the songs. It feels much more like a goodbye, letting listeners know that the album is ready to come back when you are ready, “It’s all waiting here for you.” The song feels like a summer breeze under a shady tree. Styles creates a “see you later” for fans with a beautiful use of synth that doesn’t feel too upbeat; it feels perfectly in the moment.
Harry Styles fourth solo album leaves no disappointment for listeners. “Kiss All the Time, Disco Occasionally” is out now on music platforms.