The GRAMMY Award-winning global heavyweight Harry Styles is back with a brand new studio album called KISS ALL THE TIME. DISCO, OCCASIONALLY.
Harry Styles returns big time with his long-awaited fourth album KISS ALL THE TIME. DISCO, OCCASIONALLY. marking his first music release since 2022. Following the success of his previous project Harry’s House, which earned the title Album of the Year at the 2023 Grammy Awards, the new LP deserves a worthy welcome celebration. Ushering in its arrival, there was a special Netflix broadcast of its live performance debut in Manchester, England, for the world to enjoy.
In addition, Harry also introduced KISS ALL THE TIME. DISCO, OCCASIONALLY. pop-up shops around the globe, partnering with American Express. The event includes locations such as Amsterdam, Atlanta, Berlin, Chicago, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Paris, Phoenix, Rome, Seattle, Sydney, Tokyo, and Toronto. At these shops, fans had the exclusive chance to access special activations and unique merchandise designs, all while celebrating the new album together.
Starting out with “Aperture,” the album gives us a vocally relaxed piece, complimented by a calm, yet refreshing beat, which tells of a love that is meant to be. While it preaches openness to vulnerability and tenderness, the music video contrasts it with a high octane, rather violent, chase scene.
Watch the official music video to “Aperture” below
“American Girls” touches on Harry’s experience, travelling the world as a superstar, as well as his realization of how his friends, no matter how far from home, fall for American girls. Carried by a mix of percussion, guitar, piano and synths, the song creates a uniquely serene soundscape. The music video shows Harry, his crew and his friends, on the set of a music video production, centered around a motorcycle ride through the desert.
Watch the official music video to “American Girls” below
“Ready, Steady, Go!” takes us down a more funky route, beautifully balancing a groovy bassline and poppy beats with quieter acoustic guitar segments, all of it wrapped up in Harry’s mellow vocals. Akin to its beat, the song captures listeners with the same surprise that drives a passionate relationship. While it portrays the rush of a fresh relationship, which is supposed to precede calm stability, the song suggests that the differences that may come to light are too great to grant a lasting bond.
“Are You Listening Yet?” is a hollering anthem praising the inner voice and its importance. It encourages us to listen to it and to self-reflect, accepting both emotional truth and responsibility. Just as it is not enough to simply recognize bad habits and patterns, the lively sonic atmosphere of the song, contrasted by Harry’s introspective lines, opposes awareness and action.
“Taste Back” shines a light on the unexpected situation of an old love reappearing in one’s life. It focuses on the conflicting emotions that arise alongside unresolved issues, as well as wondering about the nature of this person’s reappearance. Harry keeps wondering whether this person is just seeking closure, or if they have truly changed. In sum, it is a struggle between letting go of the past and the ever looming shadow of nostalgia.
“The Waiting Game” struggles with the romanticization of mistakes one has made in a relationship, rather than taking responsibility and trying to remedy them directly. It criticizes empty words in the face of longing for change that never comes. Taking it a step further, the song recognizes how this kind of long-term inaction, more often than not, leads to a cyclical result over time.
“Season 2 Weight Loss” doesn’t actually have anything to do with dieting. More than anything, it describes the process of personal evolution, gaining confidence under scrutiny. The idea of a second season draws from the concept of a show starting off with a low budget, becoming successful and then returning looking great because of the access to life improving services and resources that became available because of it.
“Coming Up Roses” once again heavily focusses on vulnerability and fears in the face of balancing a fragile relationship with supporting its growth and giving room to the own desires and fears. The song carries these feelings of both hope and uncertainty, trying to gather the strength to admit that the own desires may directly harm the other person’s well-being.
“Pop” takes a more playful route in the sonic department. This, however, is heavily contrasted by dark and suggestive themes, describing the golden cage that is the music industry, as well as the spotless image that is expected of popstars. Furthermore, it uses dr*g addiction as a metaphor for messy and intense relationship to oppose the aforementioned clean image. Likewise, the song puts Harry’s polite appearance in public opposite of the rebellious person he is outside of the spotlight. It blows the door wide open to metamorphosis and letting go of an old version of oneself that has been outgrown.
“Dance No More” expresses Harry’s wish to step out of his performer role and dance among the crowd instead of being on stage and in the spotlight. It is the longing to not be the one creating shows for others, but being the one experiencing them for once, getting rid of this feeling of disconnect and becoming part of the collective again. The music video beautifully mirrors this sentiment by putting Harry in the circle of his band at first, before becoming one with the dancing crowd.
Watch the official music video to “Dance No More” below
“Paint By Numbers” returns to a more melancholic tone, once more diving into the heavier side of being a celebrity. It shines a light on the struggles of learning to abide by the rules to portray the perfect celebrity in the face of the public, while wanting to break free from just that. Moreover, he acknowledges the unintended negative impacts one can have on fans and especially children as a celebrity, breaking their hearts and at times not being able to live up to their hopes and wishes.
The grand finale of the album “Carla’s Song” is dedicated to his real life friend Carla, whom he had the pleasure to introduce to songs by Simon & Garfunkel, after she mentioned to him that she discovered Paul Simon’s music. Showing her their songs visibly enchanted her, reminding Harry of the emotional power of music. “Carla’s Song” is an ode to greeting life with the open arms of curiosity, discovery and joy. It is about growing with the world around you and going on the journey from unknowingness to experience. The hypnotic track that is “Carla’s Song” perfectly mirrors this precious experience Harry had with his friend, which put him on the music journey he is on today.
Ready for more? Harry Styles is about to set the world stage ablaze, returning to his live shows with his massive Together, Together world tour between May and December this year. The tour will encompass 67 stops, including cities such as Amsterdam, London, São Paulo, Mexico City, New York, Melbourne, and Sydney. In addition, Harry will feature special guests like Robyn, Shania Twain, Fcukers, Jorja Smith, Jamie xx, Fousheé, and Skye Newman. Grab your tickets as long as they’re available.