Harries have finally manifested the return of their favourite feather-boa-clad, glitter-drenched pop star after a four-year hiatus, and suddenly “HS4 at midnight” is not just a joke anymore. It's time to take your sparkling disco balls and favourite dance shoes out of retirement, as Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally revives upbeat dance-worthy music, fusing the energetic genre with Harry's depth of songwriting and vivid vocal performances.
Harry attracts all of us like magpies to diamonds with the glistening rejuvenation that the album seems to exude through its upbeat melodies. From delivering some absolute dance essential hits to wistful masterpieces, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally is the best comeback fans could have anticipated.
Breaking down the album
The album bursts open with the pre-release single 'Aperture' that oozes with feel-good vibes with its delectable mix of club-like beats thumping along with your heartbeat. Its positive message sets the tone for the entire tracklist as the words “We belong together” echo on as each new track fades in.
As the warm notes of 'American Girls' crash in after the last chime of 'Aperture', the album takes listeners into a slower-paced track full of fluttery synths and dark electronic beats that build the foundation of the track, tied together with Harry's layered vocals and Kid Harpoon's fabulous production. The catchy chorus brings a nearly hypnotic element to the track as the words repeat, “I've known you for ages, I've known you for ages, it's all that I've heard, my friends are in love with American girls”.
Pivoting from a delicate radiance, 'Ready, Steady, Go!' brings a distressed alt rock sound to the album with the deep bass notes strumming, mixing those edgy sensibilities with the unique experimental electronic sound of Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally. Four tracks in and Harry checks in with fans asking, 'Are You Listening Yet?'. While on the surface it comes off as an addictive dance banger laced with shining trumpet notes and layered vocals, taking on a marching band inspired sound, the lyrics ask a much deeper question that triggers reflection within the listener.
With words such as “Now you're all out of choices, are you listening yet? Between your head and heart and somewhere else instead, oh, can you hear the voice, the one inside your head? Oh, are you listening yet? Oh, are you listening yet?” the track beckons the listener to truly dig deep and listen to that voice that echoes within them, spurring them to take control of their own choices and journey.
As 'Taste Back' opens with its bouncy synths, the album carries the fiery enthusiasm that keeps the listener hooked to each note. In that vein, the beat and tempo of 'The Waiting Game' makes the track feel like the cool older sister of 2019's 'Sunflower Vol.6' while the techno-inspired synths on 'Season 2 Weight Loss', blending with the echoey drums, resemble a lush fever dream that takes you through a vast range of alternate dimensions.
The words capture a sense of wonder and hope as they say, “Hoping you will love me now, do you love me now? Do you? Do you? Do I let you down? Holding, holding out hoping love will come around”. Presenting one of the strongest bridges of the album, the collage and distressed mix of alternative rock and electronic music elements stand out on this song. 'Pop' is a slow and languid track that breaks up the fast-paced energy of the track. 'Dance No More' presents a groovy bass heavy track that captures the essence of Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.
Of course no Harry Styles album is complete without an achingly beautiful track that slows down the pace. Notoriously 'Two Ghosts', 'Falling', and 'Matilda' have destroyed fans as they happily listen to previous albums. However, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally stands out among previous albums as it presents two beautifully written tracks that hold heart-wrenching messages.
'Coming Up Roses' captures the longing desperation of loving someone so much that you can't even think straight without stumbling over your words or your feet. The true reverence comes through in the lyrics that state “There's only me and you” acting as a quiet promise buried in the electric energy of the album.
'Paint By Numbers' is an extremely cathartic track that feels like a time capsule as it takes listeners back to reflect on simpler times. The words hold a gut-wrenching message as they say “It’s a lifetime of learnin' to paint by numbers, and watchin' the colours run” teaching listeners that putting your whole heart into something doesn't always mean it will turn out the way you expected.
The album closes with 'Carla's Song', a soft delicate exploration of living life on your terms as the airy synths create a soft sonic atmosphere echoing in the background. The words drive home the theme that while ignorance is bliss it's definitely a luxury with lines like “There is a bridge that leads to troubled water, if you know, then you know, if you don't, then you don't, it's heavenly” and “Ignorance or innocence, call it what you wanna”.
The Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally era
With the release of this record, fans can look forward to the Together, Together tour that takes him to Amsterdam, London, São Paolo, Mexico City, New York City, Melbourne and Sydney. His One Night in Manchester performance is also coming to Netflix on March 8, 7 PM UKT, letting fans tune in and watch the awesome performance from all over the world.
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As we enter a new chapter with Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally, fans are definitely grooving along to this fresh sound that he has debuted with this record, reinforcing his identity as one of the most versatile musicians of our generation.
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