“‘DJ’s don’t dance no more,’ they said” but Harry Styles is still grooving. After much anticipation and predictions from fans, Styles is back with his fourth solo album “Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally”. This new album combines melancholic beats, vibrant disco tracks, and funky synth-pop. The album follows “Harry’s House” released in 2022 which won a Grammy for album of the year in 2023.
Harry Styles has shared to NME magazine that this album is influenced by being on the audience side of the stage at an LCD Soundsystem concert. These songs are an ode to the electric feeling of collective effervescence, how a concert creates a shared community among attendees. Harry Styles has been back in the spotlight promoting his album through interviews such as his deep discussion with Zane Lowe for Apple Music and by hosting SNL on March 14.
“Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally” is a new leap for the pop star. Despite his transitional approach to this album, there is a departure from his traditional ballad songs from his earlier solo career such as “Sign of the Times” and “Sweet Creature” from “Harry Styles” in 2017 or “Falling” and his title track “Fine Line” from his 2019 album. Even though this new album is different from his traditional work, there is a song that can fit any vibe.
#1 “Aperture”: The first track and heartbeat of the album lets the light shine back on Harry Styles. “Aperture” was the song that Styles used to tease about his tour with the saying “we belong together.” The term aperture in photography refers to controlling the brightness of an image. The metaphor alludes to vulnerability, allowing one to open themselves up to new experiences. The nature of the melody is upbeat and the focus is drawn to the repetition of the chorus. The song reflects his time away from the spotlight. This new light brings clarity and connection. This song is an 8/10 as it serves as a positive reminder of embracing the unknown.
#2 “American Girls”: Welcome back 2013 frat boy Harry. This song is a nod to his British roots singing how his “friends are in love with American girls,” not just metaphorically in the song but also in real life. Styles has said this song was inspired by attending many weddings of his friends. Catchy, fun, and a 8.5/10– this song is a homage to finding an appreciation for romantic love even if that means it’s not your own.
#3 “Ready, Steady, Go!”: Repetitive, intense, and chaotic can best describe the intensity of “Ready, Steady, Go!”. This track can be interpreted as a tribute to the 1960s British music TV show that shares the same name. This ties into the retro pop-funk elements instilled in the album’s foundation. It deviates in tempo speed from the rest of the album, but still ties into the theme of vulnerability. Who is Leon? Fans don’t know and this song is an unsure 5/10.
#4 “Are You Listening Yet?”: Blatantly, this song sounds like Harry Styles is talking rather than singing for the first minute. The chorus itself with the drum undertones is jovial and saves the song. “Are You Listening Yet?” serves as a pathway to personal accountability and self-reflection. According to Genius, listeners are pushed to live out their emotional truths. One point for the chorus, one point for the message, and one point for Harry Styles– this song is a 3/10.
#5 “Taste Back”: It sounds like Harry Styles watched “The Summer I Turned Pretty”. This song is the anthem for reconnecting with an ex. This experience is sometimes uncomfortable, but often serves as a nostalgic reminder of what once was. Fans speculate that the Paris mention is a nod to Zoe Kravitz, his current girlfriend. This song is sweet, classic, and ranks a solid 8/10.
#6 “The Waiting Game”: Another deeply reflective poem of a song, “The Waiting Game” references emotional avoidance. The term “the waiting game” alludes to passivity. This song acknowledges how vulnerability is hard, but necessary in order for any type of relationship to grow. The backing track sounds similar to clock ticks, giving listeners an uneasy feeling as if they are the players of the waiting game. This song is an introspective 7/10.
#7 “Season 2 Weight Loss”: Have you ever watched a TV show with a low budget but amazing actors? Then, that TV show becomes a massive hit and gets renewed for Season 2. When Season 2 rolls around, viewers can obviously tell there is a bigger budget, bigger set, and the actors become, well, more buffed. In one way, this transformation can be seen as superficial. In another way, this ties closely to the album’s ideology of bettering one’s self. The recurring lyrics place an emphasis on the central theme of the album, but lack creativity. A three in its own right with two added points for creativity, leading this song to be a 5/10.
#8 “Coming Up Roses”: A beautiful ballad accompanied by strings. “Coming Up Roses” exquisitely encapsulates the delicateness of a relationship. The term itself essentially means that everything is turning out to be good. The love song is about relationships that are special, even if they do not last forever. Some relationships, people, and places in life prove its beauty through its limitedness. Harry Styles shared in his interview with Zane Lowe that it is “one of my favorite things I’ve ever done.” The star began writing this ballad as a Christmas song, but went in another direction, foreshadowing the indescribable wonder of the unknown. Ethereal, special, and universal– this song is a 10/10 at the number one spot on this album.
#9 “Pop”: Popping out as a show stopper, “Pop” leans into more 80s synth beats. It captures how fame feels to someone like Harry whose popularity has been present throughout his career. The freedom of expression is clear in this song making it a 10/10, following “Coming Up Roses”.
#10 “Dance No More”: Say no more, let’s just dance. This song perfectly encapsulates 1960s techno-pop with a 2026 flair. Inspired by a sentiment from his friend Chloe, this song is meant to display how it feels to be at a concert, feeling the joy of simply being. Simply said, it’s a 9.5/10.
#11 “Paint By Numbers”: This song is a gorgeous melody reflecting the feeling of needing everything to follow a certain path in life. “Paint By Numbers” acknowledges how it is hard to not paint by numbers in life, yet the colors will blend and not always be picture perfect. This song is also a tribute to Harry Styles’ band member Liam Payne, who unexpectedly passed away two years ago. Fans speculate that the beginning beat of the song has close ties to One Direction’s “Once in Lifetime”. Harry draws attention to the lyric “kids with water guns,” a common prank the band would play on each other when touring back in the day. A great description of nostalgia, grief, and learning leading to a 9/10 ranking.
#12 “Carla’s Song”: Optimism is the best medicine. “Carla’s Song” is said to be dedicated to one of Harry’s friends who listened to Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” for the first time. This song captures the essence of sharing music with people you love. The hopefulness of finding serendipity in the little things is present throughout the song making the last track a 9.5/10.
“Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally” captures themes of self-discovery, stardom, romantic relationships, friendships, going to concerts, and nostalgia in an eloquent and electric way. Stream Harry Style’s new album on Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon Music now!
