On March 6th, British singer-songwriter Harry Styles released his fourth studio album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally. After taking a near four-year hiatus, fans were eager to see how this album would turn out. The lead single, “Aperture,” was released on January 23rd and set the tone for how this era would play out. The emotional ups and downs are evident throughout all the songs on the album. Every song has a different tone, allowing everyone to have a favorite depending on their music taste.
Styles announced pop-up shows all around the world to celebrate his release week. Cities including New York, LA, Chicago, London, Tokyo, Paris, and many others were able to experience these events. The pop-ups included photo ops replicating some of the promo pictures from the album, as well as exclusive merch.
A one night only concert took place in Manchester the day after the release. Styles took the stage at the Co-Op Arena and performed the entirety of the album, as well as some of his biggest hits from his previous works. The concert was also recorded and released on Netflix for fans all over the world to watch and enjoy. This show allows fans to get an idea of what his upcoming tour might look like when it begins in May, including a 30 night residency at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
The 12 track album is mixed with upbeat disco songs and slower piano ballads. The lead single, “Aperture,” lays out the scene for the rest of the music. The title of the project is also reflected in the work, with some songs being very upbeat and having disco references and tones. The next single from the project is track two, “American Girls.” The song also fits the disco side of the album. Many fans are comparing this song to others from Styles’ former band, One Direction, and even the music video mirrors some scenes from the band’s videos. “Ready, Steady, Go!” and “Are You Listening Yet” also follow the same bright and cheery tone heard throughout.
The tone of the album begins to slow down for the next three songs, “Taste Back,” “The Waiting Game,” and “Season 2 Weight Loss,” before reaching the slowest song on the project, “Coming Up Roses.” This song is a major shift from the first half of the album and allows fans who prefer a slower ballad to enjoy it. The song ends with an orchestra feature, which is unlike anything Styles has done on any other song.
The overall vibe shifts once again for the next track, “Pop,” which brings back the same upbeat tone as the first half of the album. “Dance No More” is the most disco-sounding song on the entire project. The backing track, as well as the electronic beats featured on the song, gives it a very danceable vibe. The following track, “Paint By Numbers,” also brings callbacks to One Direction and is rumored to be about both his former relationship with actress Olivia Wilde and his experiences coping with the loss of his former bandmate, Liam Payne.
Styles comes full circle on the closing track, “Carla’s Song.” It has many references to the lead song, “Aperture,” both sonically and lyrically. As a whole, the album has so many different beats and tones that everyone can listen and fall in love with one.
