Harry Styles’ highly anticipated third studio album, Harry’s House, was released last Friday and was sent to the top of the iTunes Charts overnight. Just over five years ago, the Grammy-winning pop star dropped his solo debut album only 18 months after the announcement of One Direction's hiatus. Harry Styles, the album, was music that no one saw coming. The genre-less album reminded fans and critics of pop music from the 70s and was adored by millions. Then in December of 2019, Styles released his second album titled Fine Line, and was the album that made him a household name and an artist that was continuously on the top of the charts. With singles like “Watermelon Sugar” and “Adore You,” Fine Line was adored by just about everyone, drawing in more and more fans. And on May 20th 2022, the highly anticipated Harry's House was released, which seems to be the perfect continuation and progression of Fine Line.
The album starts off with a very spirited, Ziggy Stardust-esque intro song “Music for a Sushi Restaurant” and a groovy 70s sounding banger of a song “Late Night Talking” which Styles debuted on the Coachella stage. The album eases from genre to genre, mixing moods and tempos; for example, just as you think the album is going to slow down, the upbeat “As It Was” (which already has topped the charts) completely throws you for a loop.
The majority of the songs on the album are largely about romance and sex, however, it occasionally turns into a much darker and heavy album, addressing more specific people and situations. In “Daylight” Styles openly references drug use and the struggles with it, “Matilda” is about a specific person with a troubled family history, and “Boyfriends” seems to be about a person commenting on their friends’ toxic relationship.
The entire album is not all sad and serious. There’s the funky 90s feeling anthem “Cinema,” the guitar centered “Grapejuice,” and the ballad “Little Freak” that all bring back life to the album.
The album is a beautifully written and produced work of art that fans and critics will love for years to come. At the age of only 28, Harry Styles has definitely made a name for himself after his final bow with One Direction six and a half years ago. He continues to build himself a very warm-welcomed solo career.
