After a two year hiatus, Harry Styles released his fourth studio album “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.” Get ready to have a fun, funky time listening to these 12 songs.
The album starts off with the lead single “Aperture” which was released on Jan. 22. As someone who enjoys a lot of pop music, I loved the song’s groovy vibe that makes you want to get on the dancefloor. “Aperture” also brings an electric, disco beat that is consistent throughout the majority of the album.
The next two songs are “American Girls” and “Ready, Steady, Go!” “American Girls” defines Styles as being behind in life when it comes to settling down compared to his friends that are getting married. “Ready, Steady, Go!” is more so about how he does not go for people twice regarding hookup culture. These songs are opposite from each other in the sense that “American Girls” focuses on how three of his closest friends got married and how there is a risk to settling down, whereas “Ready, Steady, Go!” transitions into a confident tone about knowing what you want.
The next track is “Are You Listening Yet?” The chorus’ lyrics, “Now you’re all out of choices, are you listening yet?” can be interpreted as running out of the choices you previously had. Now, you need to start focusing on what choices you still do have. This was one of my favorite songs on the album.
At first, I thought “Taste Back” was about going back and tasting the feelings or memories from a past relationship. However, I interpreted the lyrics “You just need a little love, need a little love, it’s all you. Did you get your taste back?” as if Styles did not feel enough love and wondering if he got his feelings back. This track is a mix of synth beats and drums.
“The Waiting Game” has a mellow and laid back rhythm. This song is different from the rest of the album, but it still ties to the relationship themes. Regarding “Season 2 Weight Loss,” Styles explained in an interview by Entertainment Weekly that the song signifies the process of being an improved version of himself and is a tribute to other actors whose physical appearance changes after they become successful. I enjoy how he made this song not just about him, but about other celebrities’ experiences.
Halfway through the album we reach “Coming Up Roses.” In an interview with ELLE, Styles talked about the meaning of this song, saying “It is a love song about how special something can be, and not everything lasts forever in order for it to be special. Some of the greatest relationships in your life teach you that some things don’t last forever.”
“Pop” is one of those songs that I thought didn’t make sense to be a part of this album despite its synth heavy track. Nonetheless, this song had an unforgettable vibe to it. The song also addresses the feeling of being worn down by the pressure and expectations of being a pop superstar, but it also could be a metaphor for him getting aroused as this song incorporates some explicit lyrics.
“Dance No More” has a solid beat with lyrics that capture the emotional experience of being on a crowded dancefloor. However, “Paint By Numbers” holds a different type of vibe to it, incorporating a sad melody. It captures the need to be the best by a certain age and the feeling of constantly comparing yourself to others.
The album ends with “Carla’s Song,” inspired by one of Harry’s friends named Carla. According to ELLE, while he was with his friends, he and Carla listened to “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Paul Simon. Watching Carla hear the song for the first time helped him remember why making music is so special. “Carla’s Song” brings up a lively beat to close off the album, and after the last lyric played, I felt amazed by the entirety of the album and how it connects to his career.
Overall, “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally” is an amazing album, and I think it was very well thought out. I loved how the album was inspired by dance floors and post-punk music.
