Harry Styles fans all across the globe rejoiced in unison when they received a YouTube notification from Styles’ channel. They were met with an 8-minute-long video bearing the title “Forever, Forever,” displaying footage from the final show of the 22-month-long “Love On Tour.” Enthusiasts online buzzed with excitement, immediately concluding that this video was a signal marking the beginning of a long-awaited album rollout.
Styles had been lying low since July 2023, taking a lengthy break from music following the tour and release of both his second and third albums, “Fine Line” (2019) and “Harry’s House” (2022). Rumors of the ex-One Direction band member arose every few months, resurfacing conversations of studio visits and gossip about what Styles has been up to in the past four years. Followers of the English singer held out hope for a new album, often posting on social media, reusing the fandom’s running joke of “HS4 at midnight,” constantly speculating about when they would receive a new album. When the official announcement of “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.” was released on Jan. 15, fans knew that the beloved musician’s return would shake the world.
The first single and opening track of the album, “Aperture,” was released on Jan. 22, and listeners heard Styles’ voice in a brand new way. A dissent from Styles’ previous style is immediately clear as the track slowly builds up from a lengthy intro. “Aperture” presents a blend of synth-pop and house elements, accompanied by the repetitive chorus, looping the lyrics, “We belong together / It finally appears it’s only love.” A music video for “Aperture” was released a day later, which visually explores the theme of fame and self acceptance in an artistic metaphor.
After the shocking “Aperture,” the following tracks continue the upbeat mood. “American Girls,” “Ready, Steady, Go!” and “Are You Listening Yet?” all keep a continuous flow of a buoyant pop sound, all with their own unique twist, preventing the album from slipping into repetition in its sound, despite the repetition in its lyrics. Funky, sonic, and catchy—these tracks ease listeners in on an exciting note.
Then, the album softens into calmer and more upfront intimacy with the fifth and sixth tracks, “Taste Back” and “The Waiting Game. After the bright, bold start, these two songs lean towards warmer instrumentation and lyrics surrounding relationships, blending into a reflective midpoint in the album.
“Coming Up Roses” is the seventh track, and the only song in Styles’ entire discography of which he is the sole creditor for both the lyrics and music. “Coming Up Roses” is arguably the most emotional moment of the entire album, stripping away the dancefloor in exchange for an orchestra. Built around the delicate progression of a 30 to 39-piece orchestra, Styles embodies the definition of the phrase “coming up roses,” which literally means a situation that unfolds in a favorable way. This song does just that, characterized by a notable crescendo in the outro, enhancing the overall raw emotion that is developed throughout the track.
Styles bows out with one of the most narrative tracks, “Carla’s Song,” a song dedicated to a close friend of Styles, honoring her discovery and integration of music into her life. This is evident in the repeated lyric, “It’s all waiting there for you.” The fusion of soft synth textures creates a dreamy atmosphere that sounds straight out of a coming-of-age film. At his “One Night Only” performance in Manchester on the day of the album’s release, Styles spoke about how he feels honored to be a part of people’s lives through music, and this song truly embodies that mentality.
Overall, “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.” was an impressive return to the music industry for Styles. The slight genre shift effectively captivated and intrigued audiences, but the familiar charm of Styles’ previous albums is still prominent to the trained ear. Fans are eagerly awaiting the commencement of Styles’ “Together, Together” world tour, including a 30-night residency at Madison Square Garden, and wondering what else this new era will bring to the table. Styles will return to the stage on May 16, 2026, carrying with him a new style and attitude towards his career.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
