After a four-year hiatus since his last album, “Harry’s House,” Harry Styles returns to the music scene with “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.”
“Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally” successfully experiments with electronic synth and alternative production unified by a grand scheme of electric chaos. Styles’ previous albums have been individual epics, and this release is no different.
“Aperture” 9/10
“Aperture” lets the light into the album. The track starts with shocking production that, at first, isn’t cohesive. However, the track smooths as Styles sings the first lyric: “Take no prisoners for me / I’m told you’re elevating.” Track one explores the undeniable chemistry of Styles and his fans: “We belong together / It finally appears / It’s only love.” Picking “Aperture” as the lead single was a risky choice for Styles — the song is experimental and not a perfect fit for radio. However, “Aperture” successfully synthesizes the message of the album, showing that it’s time to disco.
“American Girls” 9/10
Track two is a promising sequel to “Aperture.” It slows the album down with piano melodies underneath catchy drums. The song succeeds in its differences from “Aperture” — proving that the album is a passion project for Styles. The lyrics are clear, with the chorus pledging “I’ve known you for ages / It’s all that I’ve heard / My friends are in love with American girls.” However, the lyrics are simpler than Styles’ previous albums. “American Girls” showcases “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.” as an album focused on experiencing emotion through music rather than words.
“Ready, Steady, Go!” 7.8/10
Track three is the most melodically complex on the album. The song starts with drums and Styles sings in his head voice. In the pre-chorus, the beat transforms to a guitar melody. Styles shows off his vocal range when he sings in Italian to set up the bridge. However, the song is unexpectedly short, at only two minutes and 40 seconds. Perhaps it would have benefited the unique song to have been longer.
“Are You Listening Yet?” 7/10
“Are You Listening Yet?” breaks the fourth wall. It’s almost creepy. It opens with a distorted hum and continues with Styles directly speaking to the listener. The creepiness continues in the chorus with Styles asking the listener, “Can you hear the voice? / The one inside your head.” This song seems to play into personal struggles and the complex suffering of the world. Styles’ guiding yet pressing voice alters the vibe of the album.
“Taste Back” 10/10
Most of this album does not adhere to the normal pop-song formula with two verses, two choruses and one bridge. However, “Taste Back” does — and does it well. The lyrics describe revisiting a stale relationship and how sometimes people only reach out when they need a little love. In the musical bridge, we hear Styles’ ad libbing “Did you, did you?” in the background, which is reminiscent of early One Direction production. “Taste Back” is the perfect mix of 80’s sparkly synth and today’s pop lyricism, making it the best track on the album.
“The Waiting Game” 6.5/10
“The Waiting Game” slows the album down again to a guitar rhythm. The lyrics explore withholding your potential for the long game — a strategy that ultimately “adds up to nothing,” as Styles claims. Track six is a nice reprieve from the experimental disco synth on the rest of the album. However, as a slow and melancholy guitar track, it seems oddly placed in “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.”
“Season 2 Weight Loss” 9/10
Styles said in an interview that “Season 2 Weight Loss” was the thesis of “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.” This track’s melody is the album explained, with synth and LCD Soundsystem-like production. Styles’ vulnerability shapes into an electric track, especially when he repeats, “Hoping you will love me now / Do I let you down?”
“Coming Up Roses” 10/10
“Coming Up Roses” is beautiful. It is unlike anything on the album and sounds like it would mesh well on “Harry Styles” or “Fine Line.” It is lyrically the strongest on the album and is supported by a full symphony. The song’s bridge is a minute-long violin piece. After Styles performed “Coming Up Roses” live at his One Night Only Netflix special, this song’s influence on the album only became clearer. Styles is experimenting with disco and dance music just as much as he is with symphonic winds and orchestra — and it pays off.
“Pop” 7/10
Track nine allows Kid Harpoon’s production to shine on this song. Sometimes, the lyrics are unclear, and the lyrics do not have to weaken even in a disco and melodic album. The song seemingly references “Cinema” from “Harry’s House” with its innuendos and allegories. Styles ends the song with the lyrics “Together, together,” the name of his upcoming tour. Styles rarely belts in his solo songs, but in “Pop,” he belts out the chorus and prepares the album for “Dance No More.”
“Dance No More” 8.8/10
Though “Season 2 Weight Loss” acts as the thesis of the album, “Dance No More” is the face of the album. By singing the lyrics, “DJs don’t dance no more,” and having the crowd repeat the lyrics, Styles maintains his goal for this album: to disco and dance. Although the beat and rhythm of track 10 are strong, the ad-libs throughout the verses are the most satisfying artistic choice.
“Paint By Numbers” 9.5/10
“Paint By Numbers” is the most honest song on the album. The lyrics explain that Styles believes he is successful because of the support he receives. The song humanizes the pop star persona of Harry Styles. Some fans have theorized that Styles references his late former bandmate, Liam Payne: “Oh, what a tragedy / When you told her / Not even 33.” (Payne passed away in 2024 at age 31 after a tragic fall.) Whether Styles is detailing his experience in the industry or permanently memorializing his friend, “Paint By Numbers” beautifully weaves the human and celebrity experience into one.
“Carla’s Song” 10/10
“Carla’s Song” opens with “There is a bridge that leads to troubled waters,” a reference to Simon & Garfunkel’s 1970 hit, “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Styles said in an interview that he was inspired to write “Carla’s Song” after his friend, Carla, discovered Paul Simon. He said that he and Carla connected over Simon’s albums, which reminded him that music is the best form of communication and connection. This song is more of a realization than an experience for Styles, making it a beautiful way to close the album. It leaves the fans with the closing lines “It’s all waiting there for you” and “I know what you like / You can hear it anytime.”
Kid Harpoon’s production, the versatility, Styles’ lyrics and vocals bring together a satisfying record that leaves listeners dancing, crying and feeling that they can accomplish anything. The album is missing a classic Harry Styles piano ballad and the songs should be longer — with “Paint By Numbers” and “The Waiting Game” being short guitar melodies. However, “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.” proves that Styles is willing and ready to take risks, especially when it means that he can finally be honest with himself and the listener.
This article was edited by Mina O’Dell, Jessica Ackerman and Walker Whalen. Copy editing by Avery Grossman and Jaden Maitland Anderson.
life@theeagleonline.com
