Harry Styles' new album Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally has finally arrived after a protracted wait, and it comes with its own unique approach to style – think big hair, oversized glasses, and disco balls. But amidst all the flair, there's something refreshingly old-school about this fourth album from the British singer-songwriter.
Unlike his previous efforts, which were neatly packaged into neat little singles and EPs, Styles has opted for a more relaxed approach with Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally, featuring its 5-minute-and-11-second-long lead single Aperture, defies the brevity that's become synonymous with modern pop. Instead, it takes its time to unfurl, much like a slow dance on the dancefloor.
The result is an unapologetically danceable track that feels more akin to 1970s psychedelia than contemporary electronic music. Opening with a minimalist pulse and swirling riffs, Aperture sets the tone for a song that's as much about letting go as it is about finding connection. The lyrics, penned by Styles himself, touch on themes of safety, belonging, and embracing uncertainty – all woven together with a sense of carefree abandon.
Musically, Aperture nods to influences from bands like Vampire Weekend, Yeasayer, and MGMT, where electronic music merged with psychedelic, prog, and pop elements. But what sets it apart is its unpretentiousness, eschewing flashy production for something more intimate and human. Lyrically, Styles takes a refreshingly down-to-earth approach, drawing from his own experiences of shedding inhibitions on the dancefloor.
What's striking about Aperture is how it balances old-school sensibilities with a modern sensibility that feels refreshingly bold. This isn't an album for those expecting grand, show-stopping hits – but rather one that invites you to step into its world and lose yourself in its rhythms.
And yet, there's still something undeniably charming about Aperture's vulnerability. At times, Styles' voice cracks with uncertainty, as if he's still figuring out the spaces around him. The result is an unassuming confidence that feels both surprising and welcome – a confident rejection of expectations that feels refreshingly human.
In short, Harry Styles has proven once again why he remains one of pop's most compelling stars. With Aperture, he's sidestepped the usual tropes in favor of something more genuine, more inviting, and more human – an album that promises to leave you breathless on the dancefloor this summer.
Unlike his previous efforts, which were neatly packaged into neat little singles and EPs, Styles has opted for a more relaxed approach with Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally, featuring its 5-minute-and-11-second-long lead single Aperture, defies the brevity that's become synonymous with modern pop. Instead, it takes its time to unfurl, much like a slow dance on the dancefloor.
The result is an unapologetically danceable track that feels more akin to 1970s psychedelia than contemporary electronic music. Opening with a minimalist pulse and swirling riffs, Aperture sets the tone for a song that's as much about letting go as it is about finding connection. The lyrics, penned by Styles himself, touch on themes of safety, belonging, and embracing uncertainty – all woven together with a sense of carefree abandon.
Musically, Aperture nods to influences from bands like Vampire Weekend, Yeasayer, and MGMT, where electronic music merged with psychedelic, prog, and pop elements. But what sets it apart is its unpretentiousness, eschewing flashy production for something more intimate and human. Lyrically, Styles takes a refreshingly down-to-earth approach, drawing from his own experiences of shedding inhibitions on the dancefloor.
What's striking about Aperture is how it balances old-school sensibilities with a modern sensibility that feels refreshingly bold. This isn't an album for those expecting grand, show-stopping hits – but rather one that invites you to step into its world and lose yourself in its rhythms.
And yet, there's still something undeniably charming about Aperture's vulnerability. At times, Styles' voice cracks with uncertainty, as if he's still figuring out the spaces around him. The result is an unassuming confidence that feels both surprising and welcome – a confident rejection of expectations that feels refreshingly human.
In short, Harry Styles has proven once again why he remains one of pop's most compelling stars. With Aperture, he's sidestepped the usual tropes in favor of something more genuine, more inviting, and more human – an album that promises to leave you breathless on the dancefloor this summer.