“Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.,” Harry Styles’ fourth studio album, was an eagerly anticipated release following his 2022 album, “Harry’s House.”
The album’s exquisite introduction, “Aperture,” begins with a wistful yet minimal tone that gradually builds. It carries a delicate and ethereal instrumental, with the electric drum and bass slowly becoming more prominent.
In this single, Styles explores the hopefulness and blindness of falling in love. He sings, “We belong together, it finally appears it’s only love,” and “It’s best you know what you don’t,” which suggests one must be fully immersed and devoted to the other when falling in love.
Styles released an accompanying music video for “Aperture,” on Jan. 23. In the video, Styles runs away from a man attempting to attack him in a hotel. Later on, the vibe shifts completely to the two dancing together in different locations throughout the hotel. This music video implements the exuberance and originality of the entire album.
The second track, “American Girls,” features another smooth, light instrumental with a slow progressing synthesized drum beat.
When Styles sings “‘I’ve known you for ages’ / it’s all that I’ve heard / my friends are in love with American girls,” it captures the essence of watching friends fall in love with the “right” person and begin building their life with them.
“Ready, Steady, Go!,” “Are You Listening Yet?,” “Taste Back,” “Season 2 Weight Loss,” “Pop” and “Dance No More” deliver the upbeat, electric and vibrant energy of the album. Each carries a feel-good hopeful energy that makes listeners want to dance under a disco ball.
Even the gloomier songs, such as “Coming Up Roses” or “Paint By Numbers” are nowhere near as saddening as his previous releases like “Sign Of The Times” or “Matilda.” However, their slower tones stand apart with the rest of the album’s upbeat energy.
Because this tracklist has been marketed as a disco-inspired album, these two songs feel slightly out of place when listening from start to finish.
What makes this album stand out from Styles’ previous releases?
Energy.
Earlier albums such as “Fine Line” and “Harry’s House” leaned into a soft, summery feeling. In contrast, his latest album feels more relaxed and unbound.
“(I was) just generally opening up more to the world and allowing some more positive things to come into my life.” Styles said in a BBC Radio 1 interview. “That was the culmination of all that was happening around me making this record.”
After listening to the full album, my top three songs are “American Girls,” “Season 2 Weight Loss” and “The Waiting Game.”
“Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.” feels like a confident step into a brighter, more joyful and freer era for Styles and his music.
