Musician Harry Styles released his first album in four years, “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally,” on March 6, ending what his fans called the “Harry drought.”
The former One Direction member’s first solo album, which was self-titled, was released in 2017. In 2019, Styles’ sophomore album, “Fine Line,” came out, which led to the 2022 album “Harry’s House,” which holds his former top song, “As It Was.”
Styles took a break from the public and performing after Love on Tour ended in 2023 to run a shocking 2:59:13 marathon in Berlin and to record his new album.
“Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally,” is an album completely different from Styles’ prior ones, with a mix of electric dance and orchestral sadness, making it feel like you’re going through a mix of emotions in a club.
The album’s first song starts off the tracklist strongly. “Aperture” was released a little over a month before the complete album. This song captures what Styles was promising his fans: a dance album. After listening to all 12 songs of KATTDO, I wouldn’t say this is the best song because of its lack of musicality compared to songs in the album’s backhalf, but it was 100% the right one to start with.
“American Girls” follows “Aperture” as the song that ended up on almost all of Spotify’s playlists on Friday. I can already tell this song is going to be overplayed. This is a great song, and really does remind me of the vibe One Direction used to bring, but does it deserve the hype it’s currently getting? I don’t think so. The music video that goes along with it, holds the song to the standard everyone is putting it at, but like the song prior, after listening to the album in full, it can’t even compete with the other tracks.
Third time’s a charm, and it truly is with this album. “Ready, Steady, Go” had my jaw on the floor. This is so unlike Styles’ past music that it completely opened up a new era for him. This song was honestly a relief, because the Together, Together Tour will 100% be one huge dance party, which will make my very expensive ticket worth it. KATTDO continues with its pop and dance genre with “Are You Listening Yet?”, which is a solid Harry Styles song that keeps the party going.
“Harry’s House” felt like a wise version of Styles’ writing, while KATTDO feels like he’s going back to his party era and living a freer and happier life. This album keeps Harry’s House’s front door open, or at least unlocked with its fifth track, “Taste Back.” This is a complete reflection of what his prior album felt like and the strong attachment I have to it.
The next two songs do, in fact, feel like filler songs. “The Waiting Game” is wonderful in its own way, but nothing profound, compared to the other songs that really apply to the disco genre. The following song,“Season 2 Weight Loss,” is a soft little song about being loved because of your appearance. This song probably wouldn’t have that strong of a presence if Styles didn’t talk about it in his interview with Zane Lowe, when he said it’s like the second season of a Netflix show, and “everyone’s got a nutritionist, and everyone’s got a trainer.”
In the past, there was always a ballad that absolutely made me cry harder than I have since the last album. In 2022, it was “Matilda,” and in 2019 it was “Fine Line,” so when the orchestra started playing in “Coming Up Roses” here in 2026, I knew what was to come.
My recent obsession, other than this album, is popstars using orchestral elements within their songs, which is quite ironic as Styles’ rumored ex-girlfriend Olivia Dean has most recently brought this back with her latest album, “The Art of Loving.”
After I cried, I actually got whiplash from the next song, “Pop,” which is exactly what you think it is. The album quickly goes back to its dance party, which is exactly the moment you get tired and you want to go home at midnight, but you get another drink to push through.
Then, a sudden pop-funk song appears, which is “Dance No More.” This is like if Silk Sonic made a pop song. My only justification for that comparison is that this is probably the only song my dad would like if he listened to it, as a jazz and funk musician himself. Simply, this is probably the best song I’ve ever heard.
I actually got whiplash for a second time, because the album goes back to a devastating, sad ballad. “Paint By Numbers” is placed at the perfect spot in the album, because after the chaos of the last song, this is the slowness and quietness listeners crave. I’m going to join the group of fans that believe this song is about Liam Payne, another One Direction member, even though the tabloids say it’s about Olivia Wilde.
The album concludes with “Carla’s Song,” which has altered my life in a way I can’t explain. Styles explained to Lowe that the song was about a friend, Carla, who was enlightened by a song he showed her. When I say I’m holding back tears every time I listen to this, I’m telling the truth.
I wouldn’t consider myself an emotional person, but this whole album is a rollercoaster of them. From dance to sadness to the feeling of fulfillment, I felt it all through 12 tracks. I truly can’t explain how happy I am to be back in Harry’s house.
Abby Madsen can be reached at mads3817@stthomas.edu.
